The U.S.-Israel Science and Technology Foundation brings together Commercial Space Industry Leaders and Government Representatives to Foster Bi-national R&D Cooperation

Washington, D.C. — The United States-Israel Science and Technology Foundation (USISTF), a Washington-based non-profit organization that promotes mutually beneficial business collaboration between the U.S. and Israel for the advancement of science and technology, has announced the results of the U.S.-Israel Commercial Space roundtable hosted on February 1, 2011 in Tel Aviv, Israel.

USISTF convened the roundtable to encourage bi-national collaboration in the research, development, and testing of next-generation, high-need commercial space technologies. By bringing together high-level government officials from both countries and industry thought leaders, USISTF formulated actionable goals for increased industrial, civilian and commercial space cooperation.

“Our goal in hosting this roundtable was to cement relations that stimulate technological development and commercial exchange between the two countries,” said Ann Liebschutz, executive director of USISTF. “This initiative is part of our bigger strategic project “Innovation 2028” which presents a vision for enhancing international partnerships in the commercial aerospace, cleantech, and biotechnology industries.”

The U.S.-Israel Commercial Space Working Group reached the following conclusions and recommendations for future industry and government collaborative projects:

Bi-national Government Cooperation — The office of the Chief Scientist of the Israel Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor and National Aeronautics and the Space Administration (NASA) seek to advance long-term strategic planning of technological leadership and cooperation. Small Business Innovation Research grants could be considered as a mechanism for U.S.-Israel cooperation on developing high risk technologies responding to NASA and U.S. Government Agency needs.

Bi-national Commercial Cooperation — A “trade” mission of Israeli industry and academic representatives to visit NASA centers and interface with researchers and U.S. industry representatives in the near geographical areas that supply each centers research needs.

Bi-national Industry and Government Cooperation — The Office of the Chief of the Israel Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor may consider publicizing NASA’s “wish list” of technologies based on mission priorities and make them readily available to Israeli industry to guide them in developing technology congruent with U.S. Industries needs to serve NASA priorities.

Please find the roundtable proceedings available for download here.