NASA and Israel space agency sign statement of intent for future cooperation

(PhysOrg.com) -- During a meeting Tuesday at NASA Headquarters in Washington, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and Israel Space Agency Director General Zvi Kaplan signed a joint statement of intent to expand the agencies' cooperation in civil space activities.

The signing followed a meeting between Bolden, Kaplan and Professor Daniel Hershkowitz, Israel's minister of Science and Technology. It advanced discussions that began when Bolden visited Israel in January.

The agencies agreed to identify new joint activities related to Earth and space science, life sciences, space exploration and other areas of mutual interest. The goal is to expand scientific exchanges and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

NASA and ISA identified the following potential opportunities for bilateral cooperation: space geodesy, the measurement from space of Earth's gravitational field, tides, and the movement of its poles and crust; hydrological observations and joint research; an expansion of Israel's participation in the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) education program; planetary science through ISA's affiliate membership in the NASA Lunar Science Institute; launch and range safety; remote sensing data cooperation; and use of the International Space Station for Israeli research and educational experiments.