Israel Active

Rafael chairman Yuval Steinitz said that Israel's Iron Beam laser air defense system is set to become operational in the second half of 2025. Its effective range (around 10km) continues to increase and the project team has bypassed the absorption effect of the atmosphere.

Israel Space Agency director general Brig. Gen. Uri Oron and Italian Space Agency president Prof. Teodoro Velente signed a memorandum of understanding for collaboration on Space IL's Beresheet 2 mission to the moon. The joint budget for the mission is estimated to be over €10 million.

NASA has confirmed that it will send the first Israeli woman astronaut into space.  Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Gila Gamliel said, “We in Israel have now begun the process of searching for our candidate among our brave women.”

Israel’s Diptera.ai (see previously) aims to reduce the population of mosquitos killing some one million people each year from malaria. The pilot of its sterile insect technique (SIT) system at Kibbutz Tzora cut local mosquito numbers by 94%. It now plans an African field trial this year.

Scientists at the Hebrew University, Bar-Ilan Uni, and the Volcani Institute used a handheld hyperspectral camera, plus AI-software, to monitor unripe tomatoes and predict future quality. They will now build an low-cost portable device to help farmers maximize crop yields.

Students from San Diego Jewish Academy worked with students from Israel’s Sha’ar Hanegev to design a community space for the war-impacted community. They studied the region’s culture, needs and also urban planning. Then using state-of-the-art technology they built a 3D model.

Israel’s Technion Institute has launched its Disability Breakthrough Technology course. It aims to train students in social-technological entrepreneurship with an emphasis on solutions for people with disabilities and rehabilitation. It is even more important in light of the ongoing war.

Israel’s Jotit transforms the classroom experience in the digital age, from streamlining organization to improving handwriting skills. Jotit brings "digital-paper" to the classroom, allowing students and teachers to enjoy the benefits of both digital and traditional methods.

Israel’s Rail Vision (see previously) is to install its MainLine obstacle detection system on Israel Railways’ trains to prevent potential collisions and maintain smooth operational flow. Meanwhile, Israel Railways and Israel’s will develop an AI visualization system.

Israel’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Knowledge Center (iSAF) was inaugurated at the Technion, supported by the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, and in partnership with Boeing. The center will work towards achieving local production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF – see ).