Israel's first lunar mission created history in 2019
In 2019, Israel achieved a historic first by launching its first mission to the Moon, Beresheet, a project spearheaded by the private company SpaceIL with backing from the Israeli Space Agency. Despite its ambitious goal to land on the lunar surface in April 2019, Beresheet ultimately fell short of this objective. The spacecraft was propelled to the Moon via a series of orbits around Earth, a technique used to conserve fuel.
Upon reaching lunar orbit and preparing for descent, Beresheet lost contact shortly before the expected landing, marking the end of Israel's first attempt at placing a spacecraft on the Moon.
Beresheet's mission comprised two primary scientific instruments: a magnetometer to measure the Moon's magnetic field and a laser retroreflector, supplied by NASA, intended to test its potential as a navigation tool. The spacecraft, weighing approximately 585 kilograms, measured about 5 feet in height and 7.5 feet in width when its landing gear and legs were deployed.
It was launched from Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on February 22, 2019, and gradually expanded its orbit around Earth to utilize gravitational forces for propulsion, ultimately entering lunar orbit.
The planned landing site was the Sea of Serenity, an ancient volcanic region known as Mare Serenitatis. While the spacecraft did not complete its landing mission, its journey provided valuable insights. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter later captured images that helped researchers analyze the area where Beresheet was believed to have landed.
These images revealed a dark "smudge" on the lunar surface, suggesting that the spacecraft approached from the north and touched down near the rim of a small crater. NASA's installation of a laser retroreflector on Beresheet allowed for the testing of this navigation tool, showcasing the potential for future lunar missions. Although Beresheet did not achieve a successful landing, its journey marked a significant milestone in Israel's space program and the realm of private lunar exploration.
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