The International Federation of Astronautics (IAF) has announced that next year it will award the Distinguished Service Award to Prof. Yitzhak Ben-Israel, former Chairman of the Israel Space Agency, for his great contribution to astronautics and the advancement of the Federation.
Meanwhile, at the Ilan Ramon International Space Conference held last night, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Ofir Akunis, Israel Space Agency Chairman Dan Blumberg and Israel Space Agency Director Uri Oron presented him with a certificate of appreciation for his many years of work promoting Israeli space activity.
Prof. Yitzhak Ben-Israel said: "When I began my tenure as Chairman of the Israel Space Agency there was no funding for civilian space; in the 17 years of activity the Agency has become a body with a significant budget that influences the development of civilian space in Israel. We had to work hard to achieve budgets of hundreds of millions of shekels a year." Ben-Israel said, adding: "Although the prize is awarded in my name, I do not stand alone behind the achievements represented in it. Those achievements are shared by the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, the Space Agency and the Israeli space industry in general. And so, I see you all sharing the appreciation I have received."