Women Find Jobs In Space, Thanks To $500K Program

By Ariel Grossman, NoCamels November 20, 2022 2 minutes

Sahar Peretz, Or Nataf, and Julia Saih, three of the five first applicants chosen for the new joint program. Courtesy

A new program that aims to create research and career opportunities for women in the space sector has selected its first five fellows.

It is creating opportunities for young female engineers and scientists, encouraging more women to study STEM, and promoting an increased number of successful careers for women in the fields of science and space.

Among the applicants chosen are Michal Pushkov and Sahar Peretz, two junior engineers, who have been recruited by SpaceIL to take part in the development of the Beresheet2 spacecraft that will be launched to the moon in 2025. They will conduct novel scientific experiments and educational missions, ensuring more women are involved with groundbreaking projects such as this from the very onset of their careers.

The program was jointly founded by SpaceIL, the Israeli organization for space development that is behind the Beresheet missions, and the Parasol Foundation Trust, which has given over $40 million in health, heritage, and education grants worldwide since 2004.

It is funded by the Parasol Foundation at a total amount of $500,000 as part of a larger $2 million contribution to SpaceIL’s current Beresheet2 mission, which aims to conduct a double landing on both sides of the moon and orbit it for five years.

“I’m so proud of this exceptional and diverse group of women who have joined the Parasol Foundation Women in SpaceIL Program,” said Ruth Parasol, Principal Benefactress of the Parasol Foundation. She is the American philanthropist behind the endeavor, which recently donated $3.5 million to open a new center for breast cancer research at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center.

“They’ve already overcome immense barriers and I know they will continue to push boundaries, contribute to global space advancements, and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.”

Shimon Sarid, CEO of SpaceIL, said: “The collaboration with Parasol Foundation for the inclusion of women in the Israeli space industry and academic studies is crucial.

“We adopted this inclusive approach in the Beresheet1 mission which contributed greatly to its execution and success. I congratulate the selected candidates that joined this important initiative and wish them great success.”