Investors refuse to continue financing the Beresheet 2 probe. However, the Israeli company SpaceIL, which is developing it, is full of optimism and promises a launch in 2025.
Beresheet 2 and its financing problems
The Beresheet 2 mission is under threat of disruption. At least, this is how you can understand the message that some of the donors who finance the construction of the spacecraft stop doing it. It is not yet known for what funds it will be completed.
This apparatus is a follower of the Beresheet mission. Prepared with the money of private developers, although in cooperation with the Israeli Space Agency, in April 2019 it could become the first commercial probe to land on the surface of the Moon.
Due to a malfunction of one of the sensors, the Beresheet crashed. Since then, SpaceIL has been developing a new mission, which, like the first one, is mainly funded by private funds. In general, donors have already managed to transfer 45 out of 100 million dollars that are needed for the development of a new spacecraft.
However, in May 2023, they unexpectedly announced that they would no longer finance the construction of Beresheet 2. In particular, billionaire Morris Kahn refused it. According to him, this is not due to any problems with the mission itself, it’s just the circumstances.
SpaceIL management remains optimistic
Nevertheless, the management of SpaceIL remains optimistic. Back in January 2023, it was determined that the mission should start in 2025. It will be very different from the previous one and will consist of an orbiter and two small probes that will separate from it and make a soft landing on the surface of our moon.
On June 27, SpaceIL managers held a press conference at which they confirmed previous plans. Moreover, it was announced that the German agency DLR would develop a navigation system for the lander.
Engineers note how important the mission can be for education, because students will be able to take part in the landing process. As for the problems with financing, then, according to the chairman of SpaceIL, they are able to solve these issues.
According to spacenews.com.
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