Israel and the United Arab Emirates agreed Oct. 20 to cooperate on space missions. The Emirati Space Agency signed a memorandum of understanding with the Israel Space Agency to enhance cooperation in scientific research and space exploration.

The deal, finalized at the 2020 Dubai Expo, includes collaboration on the Israeli Beresheet 2 space project bound for the moon in 2024. Israeli and Emirati students will work together to design a new satellite tracking the moon. The Beresheet 2 spacecraft will carry that satellite, which should help those following the Hebrew and Muslim calendars to determine the precise time of the new moon. The two countries will also work together on data-based development and research from the Israeli-French satellite Venus.

Israel’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Orit Farkash-Hacohen said at the signing ceremony, "Governments sign agreements, but people and collaborations are the ones that truly make peace. … I am pleased to sign a series of agreements for cooperation with the UAE Space Agency in important and groundbreaking fields. I thank the Minister of Advanced Technology Sarah Al Amiri for the significant, collaborative work done in the last year between the two agencies."

After the ceremony, Farkash Hacohen tweeted, "Today we presented Israel with important news - a cooperation agreement between the Israeli and Emirati space agencies. I am now looking forward to see both Israeli and Emirati flags flying over future joint projects; working on Beresheet 2, the Venus satellite, groundbreaking research and connection between peoples. From now on, we are turning towards the stars and beyond."