With the "Beresheet2" mission expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2024, Israeli nonprofit SpaceIL has issued an international call for onboard experiments.
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The mission of Beresheet2 is to send three spacecraft to the moon, one orbiter (mothership) and two small landers. The craft will be released for exploration missions at two different sites, with the objective to land successfully on both sides of the moon. The orbiter is being designed to conduct a two to five-year mission around the moon, serving as a platform for scientific and educational activities.
Research proposals can focus on fields such as lunar soil, lunar environmental conditions, lunar sustainability – the production of food and water – astrobiology, comparative data from both sides of the moon, and more.
SpaceIL is seeking to combine scientific research with education by conducting experiments that can be made accessible to schoolchildren and university students as they unfold, inspiring more young people to go into the sciences. Each research proposal must include an educational program.
According to SpaceIL, equipment for the experiments should be up to 2.5 kg. (5.5 lbs.) for each lander, and up to 5 kg. (11 lbs.) for the orbiter. The payload will have to be able to withstand the harsh space environment. More details can be found here.
SpaceIL recently announced it has obtained $70 million in funding from a group of entrepreneurs-philanthropists Patrick Drahi (Patrick and Lina Drahi Foundation), Morris Kahn (Kahn Foundation) and the Moshal Space Foundation, in partnership with Entrée Capital.
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