SpaceIL, the nonprofit organization competing for the Google Lunar X Prize by landing what would be the first Israeli spacecraft on the moon next year, announced Wednesday evening that it received a $16.4 million donation from the Dr. Miriam & Sheldon G. Adelson Family Foundation.
The grant will join other support that the organization has received, including donations from businessman Morris Kahn and the Schusterman Family Foundation. SpaceIL is also funded by the Israel Space Agency, Israel Aerospace Industries, Bezeq telecommunications company, Tel Aviv University and the Weizmann Institute, among others.
The exact date for the spacecraft's launch has yet to be determined, but is expected to be released shortly.
The latest donation will also help fund SpaceIL's educational goals. As part of the educational vision of the organization, speakers will be sent to teach young students about the Israeli spacecraft being built. Some 55,000 students have already partaken in this program. Recently, SpaceIL speakers have also begun giving lectures to Jewish community members in the United States.
"Sheldon and I are very excited to be supporting SpaceIL in an effort to land the first Israeli spacecraft on the moon," said Dr. Miriam Adelson. "As an Israeli-born physician and scientist, I am especially proud of the positive impact the pursuit of this goal will have on the next generation of young Israelis, and frankly all young people, as it serves as an important example of the role science and technology continue to play in our everyday lives and across the world,"
Sheldon Adelson added, "As an entrepreneur, nothing is as thrilling as supporting a group of people who have been told that their dreams cannot be realized. For a group of scientists and engineers, in one of the world's smallest countries, to be able to reach such an accomplishment is incredible. We are proud to support Israel and SpaceIL [as they] prove that dreams do come true and that hard work, vision, and dedication are rewarded. We stand proudly with SpaceIL in this extraordinary endeavor."
SpaceIL Public Board Chairman Yanki Margalit said, "Now, with the Adelson Family gift, we are closer to realizing our dream."
The Adelson family owns the company that is the primary shareholder in Israel Hayom.
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