Beresheet

Beresheet was a demonstrator of a small robotic lunar lander and lunar probe operated by <a href="/facts/SpaceIL/k8IFCKhG">SpaceIL</a> and <a href="/facts/Israel_Aerospace_Industries/5TTjfk7D">Israel Aerospace Industries</a>. Its aims included inspiring youth and promoting careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (<a href="/facts/Science,_technology,_engineering,_and_mathematics/NAsAI1nG">STEM</a>), and landing its <a href="/facts/Magnetometer/dqX9g1og">magnetometer</a>, <a href="/facts/Time_capsule/pnhArR02">time capsule</a>, and <a href="/facts/Retroreflector/NSvFA4kG">laser retroreflector</a> on the <a href="/facts/Moon/zKHqEMPb">Moon</a>. The lander's gyroscopes failed on 11 April 2019 causing the main engine to shut off, which resulted in the lander crashing on the Moon. Its final resting position is 32.5956°N, 19.3496°E.
The lander was previously known as Sparrow and was officially renamed to Beresheet in December 2018. Its net mass was 150 kg (330 lb); when fueled at launch, its mass was 585 kg (1,290 lb). It had been compared to a washing machine, as it stood at about the height of one at 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) and was similar in width to large household appliances. It used seven ground stations for Earth–lander communication. Its mission control center was at <a href="/facts/Israel_Aerospace_Industries/5TTjfk7D">Israel Aerospace Industries</a> (IAI) in <a href="/facts/Yehud,_Israel/oV7pcynG">Yehud</a>, <a href="/facts/Israel/dEe3IcaY">Israel</a>.

Beresheet open-in-new

Beresheet