Space Shenkar – a program for developing space-related projects, which is part of the ACT Shenkar Center for Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship led by Bar Brantz – is proud to host Eytan Stibbe, the second Israeli in space, for a lecture as part of the “Floating Laboratory” course. This course is directed by Amichai Sheetrit and Lahav Halevy from the Department of Visual Communication, as part of the "Rakia" mission of the Ramon Foundation.

In February 2022, the Rakia mission will travel to the International Space Station with Eytan Stibbe, an Israeli businessman and former combat pilot, on board. Stibbe, the second Israeli in space, will be launched to the International Space Station in the Dragon 2 shuttle together with three other crew members. They will stay at the space station for ten days, during which time they will perform dozens of experiments in different fields, making a significant contribution to Israeli society and all of humanity.

Rakia is a historic mission, intended to expand the multidisciplinary approach to space, integrating science, technology, education, culture and art.

From the lecture

In October, Stibbe held a talk with the students in the course, in which he explained the mission and offered his insight and perspective.

“My primary motivation was curiosity, the opportunity to be a part of something exceptional”

Eytan explained that he had dreamed of reaching space ever since he was a child. He noted that this mission offered an opportunity for a shift in perspective, with its focus on integrating space into other disciplines.

“Everyone has a place in space, it's not just for scientists and astronauts”

Rakia will be the first mission comprised of a crew that are not all astronauts. This will provide different perspectives and will provide a wider and more diverse set of perspectives. Not only the questions will be different; the answers will be as well.

“In the future, there will be a need for doctors, psychologists, teachers, farmers, designers. Every profession is important! As visits to space open up to all of humanity, so too will demand for solutions to basic and broader needs.”

Thank you to Eytan Stibbe and the Ramon Foundation for introducing us to his personal experience and for granting us a glimpse into this historic mission!