About Eytan
Eytan Stibbe is a social impact investor and Israeli philanthropist. He has spent years working to advance marginalized populations in developing countries. Eytan was a fighter jet pilot and flight instructor in the Israeli Air Force with the rank of colonel. While in the Air Force, Eytan Stibbe and Ilan Ramon became close friends during their military service. When Ramon was practicing for his upcoming space mission, Stibbe visited Ilan and his family in Houston as well as the NASA training facilities.
Being exposed to the concept of space exploration, Stibbe realized that aside from its scientific importance, the field aroused a great deal of curiosity amongst humankind, regardless of background or age. Ilan Ramon never came back from his space mission and the ties between the two families strengthened over time. Since then, Stibbe has kept track of the progress made in space exploration, including industrial advancements and technological innovations.Since then, Stibbe has kept track of the progress made in space exploration, including industrial advancements and technological innovations. The moment it became possible to fly privately (rather than through the government space agencies), Eytan jumped on the opportunity to make his dream come true. As an envoy of the Ramon Foundation, Eytan Stibbe became Israel’s second astronaut to land in space on April 8th, 2022.
About The Mission
The Ramon Foundation and the Israel Space Agency in the Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology, have sent the second Israeli, EYTAN STIBBE, into space, on a historic mission. The purpose of the ‘Rakia’ mission was to inspire the younger generation while advancing and expanding Israel's space industry.
On April 8th, 2022, the Rakia mission blasted off into space, making a safe landing in the International Space Station. Making history as the first Israeli mission to reach the Space Station, Israel became a significant contributing member to the development of the global space industry and improving life on earth. AX1, an enterprise initiated and led by the Axion Space company, the first mission to the International Space Station – subject to approval by NASA, was manned entirely by private astronauts. As such, it brought tidings of a revolution in manned flights to space, a revolution that worked to generate substantial progress in the field. Among three other crewmembers, Eytan Stibbe, became the second Israeli in Space and the first in the International Space Station. Stibbe, a close friend of the Ramon family, was the second Israeli in space, and the first in the international space station.
The mission, headed in Israel by the Ramon Foundation in conjunction with the Israel Space Agency in the Ministry of Science and Technology, facilitated the promotion of various of topics which will contribute enormously to Israeli society and humankind. The ‘Rakia’ mission served as an example of extraordinary collaboration between diverse factors, manifesting values of peace, innovation and social responsibility. Ramon Foundation’s vision is to inspire and connect the younger generation to space exploration, the mission proving that anything is possible. The mission enabled Israeli entrepreneurs and researchers to advance innovative ideas and provided a rare opportunity for them to test their enterprises in a unique atmosphere, thereby contributing to international and Israeli research industries. In addition, the mission made diversified educational activities accessible to all Israeli children, being the first time that International Space Station information was available in Hebrew.
In addition, series of new Israeli art works were shown under sub-gravity conditions. The Rakia mission was part of Israel's Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology’s extensive strategy to turn Israel into a world class space superpower, generating a local Eco-system of approximately 350 companies in the field of Civil Space, providing a livelihood to around 25 thousand employees and being responsible for about 0.5 billion dollars in annual private investments in the Israeli industry. We invite you to join us on this exciting journey.
Rakia on AX-1 Mission
In April 2022, the Rakia Mission made history as part of the AX-1 mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), achieving remarkable breakthroughs in education, science, and art. This inspirational mission showed that There is no dream is beyond reach!
The AX-1 mission featured 4 astronauts, including astronaut Eytan Stibbe, the first israeli astronaut in the international space station who embarked on this historic national endeavor.
Over its 17-day duration, Rakia Mission featured a range of scientific experiments, showcased inspiring artworks, and organized educational activities for students and the general public, both in Israel and worldwide. Rakia Mission broadcasted content from space in Hebrew for the first time ever.
During the mission, Rakia in collaboration with Axiom, successfully introduced a groundbreaking open-source approach to human spaceflight missions for the general public: educators, students, artists, academia, hospitals, and private companies, were invited to devise the mission's program. This inclusive approach resulted in a fruitful and impactful collaboration among various entities, leading to innovative developments, educational activities, and an impressive total of 95 distinct contributions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
On January 2023, Rakia relaunched as a public-benefit corporation (PBC).
Here are a few of our current projects:
Advance The Space Ecosystem in Israel
Israel Space Forum – A collaborative initiative between Rakia Mission and Israel Space Agency at the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, aims to propel the Israeli space ecosystem to new heights. By fostering collaborations, empowering civilian space enterprises, and providing essential services, the forum serves as a catalyst for advancing the nation’s space industry.
Israeli activities onboard the International Space Station
By partnering with international commercial entities, new opportunities are created for researchers and entrepreneurs to send experiments to the International Space Station. Rakia also enables access for Israeli companies, artists, educators and students to engage in international space initiatives
Universities and Colleges Space Community
Our mission is to gather israeli students from universities and colleges, fostering both local and international collaborations while creating opportunities in academia and the Israeli and global space industry.
Space for All
Developing inspiring educational content for the general public, including videos, games and lesson plans. Rakia organize exhibitions and visitor centers for the general public that explore the fascinating field of space. These exhibits showcase the story of space missions, the experiences of astronauts, and insights into daily life and scientific work aboard the International Space Station.
Art and Culture
Rakia engages artists from diverse fields, offering a platform for innovative expression and collective imagination in the realm of space exploration. Our projects and activities emphasize the concept of "space for everyone," challenging the idea that space is exclusively the domain of exact science researchers.
About Eytan
Eytan Stibbe is a social impact investor and Israeli philanthropist. He has spent years working to advance marginalized populations in developing countries. Eytan was a fighter jet pilot and flight instructor in the Israeli Air Force with the rank of colonel. While in the Air Force, Eytan Stibbe and Ilan Ramon became close friends during their military service. When Ramon was practicing for his upcoming space mission, Stibbe visited Ilan and his family in Houston as well as the NASA training facilities.
Being exposed to the concept of space exploration, Stibbe realized that aside from its scientific importance, the field aroused a great deal of curiosity amongst humankind, regardless of background or age. Ilan Ramon never came back from his space mission and the ties between the two families strengthened over time. Since then, Stibbe has kept track of the progress made in space exploration, including industrial advancements and technological innovations.Since then, Stibbe has kept track of the progress made in space exploration, including industrial advancements and technological innovations. The moment it became possible to fly privately (rather than through the government space agencies), Eytan jumped on the opportunity to make his dream come true. As an envoy of the Ramon Foundation, Eytan Stibbe became Israel’s second astronaut to land in space on April 8th, 2022.
The Team
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Eytan Stibbe - Astronaut, Director
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Meirav Catriel-Straker - Director
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Hadar Vernik Shalev - CEO
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Melody Korman – Executive Director, Israel Space Forum
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Maayan Honig - Project and Partnerships Manager
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Maya Shmit Younger - Head of Education and Development
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Hadas Gur Arie - Head of Art
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Yuval Slupsky - Media Manager
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Yuval Priel - Content Development, Data Analysis, and Research
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Odeya Geulayov - Video Editor
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Kelly Ymar - Spokesperson
AX-1 Rakia Mission Crew
Eytan Stibbe
Astronaut
Ran Livne
CEO - Ramon Foundation
Meirav Catriel Shtarker
Rakia Mission Director
Inbal Kreiss
Chairperson of the scientific committee
Hadar Vernik
Director of the Education Committee
Gil Pelleg
Chairperson of International relations committee
Melody Korman
Flight Operations Manager
Hadar Vernik
Director of the Committee
Sari Roth
VP at Kamatech
Shelly Ron Adiv
Community and Education manager at the Israel Space Agency
Maya Golan
Director of Family Philanthropy, JNF Israel
Adi Altschuler
founder of the "Krembo Wings" youth movement, founder of "Memories@Home", founder of "Inclu-Inclusive Schools"
Yaniv Waizman
Founder and ceo at teenk, founder and chairman at IGY & Council member at TLV municipality
Shirin Nautar Hafi
Director of the ORT Lod School of Science and Engineering
Bar Machluf
Winner of the Ramon Award for 2021
Maayan Honig
Educational mission coordinator
Maya Shamit
Educational mission coordinator
Inbal Kreiss
Chairperson of the scientific committee
Mr. Avi Blasberger
Director, Israel Space Agency, Ministry of Science and Technology
Dr. Osnat Luxenburg
Head of the Medical Technologies, Information and Research Division, Ministry of Health
Mr. Tzachi Shenrach
Head of the Technologies and Market Industries Division, Deputy Director Innovation Authority
Prof. Avishai Eyal
Head of the Optics and Photonics Laboratory, Program head of undergrad studies at the School of Electrical Engineering Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University
Prof. Ehud Bechar
Dean of the Faculty of Physics, expert at Astrophysics Former Director of Asher Space Center, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
Prof. Orit Shefi
Head of Bio-Engineering program, member at the institute of nanotechnologies and neuro-science Faculty of Engineering Bar Ilan University
Dr. Jacob Cohen
Chief Scientist, NASA Ames Research Center & Ramon Foundation advisor
Prof. Dan Blumberg
Head of the Remote Sensing and Imaging Laboratory Vice President of Regional-Industrial Development, Ben Gurion University
Prof. Dror Heretz
Faculty member in Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University Head of Research Authority at Sheba Medical Center. CEO and founder of VBL Biotech Co.
Dr. Shir Stibbe
MD Pediatric resident at Sheba Medical Center. Backup astronaut for Ax-1. Donor’s representative.
Eliran Raphael Hamo
Director of Scientific Payload
Udi Edelman
Art Curator
Hadas Gur Arie
Art Mission Coordinator
Gil Pelleg
Chairman of the committee, Israeli Space Agency
Amit Stibbe
Donors Representative
Rami Brnadiner
Committee Coordinator
Kelly Ymar
Spokeswoman and communication manager of the 'Rakia' mission, PR team lead. kelly@shalomtelaviv.com, Mobile 050-5233363
Mor Ben Kalifa
Media consultant at the 'Rakia' mission PR team
Lirin Hasson
Social media manager at the 'Rakia' mission PR team
Mia Balaban
Media consultant at the 'Rakia' mission PR team. Mia@shalomtelaviv.com
Sivan Fidelman
Media consultant at the 'Rakia' mission PR team
Asaf Kupferstein
Social media advisor at the 'Rakia' mission PR team
Ori Ben Josef
Social media advisor at the 'Rakia' mission PR team
Steering Committee
Eytan Stibbe
Astronaut
Ran Livne
CEO - Ramon Foundation
Meirav Catriel Shtarker
Rakia Mission Director
Inbal Kreiss
Chairperson of the scientific committee
Hadar Vernik
Director of the Education Committee
Gil Pelleg
Chairperson of International relations committee
Melody Korman
Flight Operations Manager
Education Committee
Hadar Vernik
Director of the Committee
Sari Roth
VP at Kamatech
Shelly Ron Adiv
Community and Education manager at the Israel Space Agency
Maya Golan
Director of Family Philanthropy, JNF Israel
Adi Altschuler
founder of the "Krembo Wings" youth movement, founder of "Memories@Home", founder of "Inclu-Inclusive Schools"
Yaniv Waizman
Founder and ceo at teenk, founder and chairman at IGY & Council member at TLV municipality
Shirin Nautar Hafi
Director of the ORT Lod School of Science and Engineering
Bar Machluf
Winner of the Ramon Award for 2021
Maayan Honig
Educational mission coordinator
Maya Shamit
Educational mission coordinator
Scientific Committee
Inbal Kreiss
Chairperson of the scientific committee
Mr. Avi Blasberger
Director, Israel Space Agency, Ministry of Science and Technology
Dr. Osnat Luxenburg
Head of the Medical Technologies, Information and Research Division, Ministry of Health
Mr. Tzachi Shenrach
Head of the Technologies and Market Industries Division, Deputy Director Innovation Authority
Prof. Avishai Eyal
Head of the Optics and Photonics Laboratory, Program head of undergrad studies at the School of Electrical Engineering Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University
Prof. Ehud Bechar
Dean of the Faculty of Physics, expert at Astrophysics Former Director of Asher Space Center, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
Prof. Orit Shefi
Head of Bio-Engineering program, member at the institute of nanotechnologies and neuro-science Faculty of Engineering Bar Ilan University
Dr. Jacob Cohen
Chief Scientist, NASA Ames Research Center & Ramon Foundation advisor
Prof. Dan Blumberg
Head of the Remote Sensing and Imaging Laboratory Vice President of Regional-Industrial Development, Ben Gurion University
Prof. Dror Heretz
Faculty member in Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University Head of Research Authority at Sheba Medical Center. CEO and founder of VBL Biotech Co.
Dr. Shir Stibbe
MD Pediatric resident at Sheba Medical Center. Backup astronaut for Ax-1. Donor’s representative.
Eliran Raphael Hamo
Director of Scientific Payload
Arts Committee
Udi Edelman
Art Curator
Hadas Gur Arie
Art Mission Coordinator
International-Relations Committee
Gil Pelleg
Chairman of the committee, Israeli Space Agency
Amit Stibbe
Donors Representative
Rami Brnadiner
Committee Coordinator
Communications Team
Kelly Ymar
Spokeswoman and communication manager of the 'Rakia' mission, PR team lead. kelly@shalomtelaviv.com, Mobile 050-5233363
Mor Ben Kalifa
Media consultant at the 'Rakia' mission PR team
Lirin Hasson
Social media manager at the 'Rakia' mission PR team
Mia Balaban
Media consultant at the 'Rakia' mission PR team. Mia@shalomtelaviv.com
Sivan Fidelman
Media consultant at the 'Rakia' mission PR team
Asaf Kupferstein
Social media advisor at the 'Rakia' mission PR team
Ori Ben Josef
Social media advisor at the 'Rakia' mission PR team