Canadian billionaire Sylvain Adams donated $5m to SpaceIL 

Sylvain Adams, the businessman and philanthropist behind the Giro d'Italia bicycle races, has joined the project of the first Israeli spacecraft to the moon of the SpaceIL association whose launch is expected in early 2019

The SpaceIL association announced yesterday (Monday), that Canadian billionaire and businessman Sylvain Adams, known as the one who brought the "Giro de Italia" bicycle race to Israel, joined the project of landing the first Israeli spacecraft on the moon and donated five million dollars to the association.

Adams announced his contribution as part of a special tour, which was held at the beginning of the week at the space plant of the Aerospace Industry where the space shuttle is being made. The president of the association, Mr. Morris Kahn, the CEO, Dr. Ido Entavi, and the personnel of the aerospace industry participated in the tour. Adams, who is currently celebrating his 60th birthday, said during the event that "this contribution to strengthening the Israeli space program and encouraging education for excellence and innovation among the younger generation in Israel is the best gift I could ask for myself."

Adams also added: "I believe that launching the first Israeli spacecraft to the moon will inspire Israeli children and encourage many to turn to professions of science and technology and above all to believe that everything is possible."

The president of the SpaceIL association, Mr. Maurice Kahn, noted: "I thank Sylvan Adams for his generous contribution to our effort. In the last email, he joins an amazing group of donors who have a common vision - to land the first Israeli spacecraft on the moon, we are in the last line for the launch and I believe that his mere joining will help us raise the remaining money to complete our ambitious mission."

Dr. Ido Entavi, CEO of the association, said: "We are on the last line for the launch and preparations are underway. The SpaceIL and IAA teams are making progress in the series of experiments and tests, which are being carried out at the aerospace industry's space plant. At the same time, we are increasing the activity to promote scientific-technological education in the State of Israel, in preparation for the launch. We thank Mr. Sylvain Adams for his contribution.

Inbal Kreis, Deputy Director of the Space Plant at the Aerospace Industry who was also present at the tour added: "We at the Aerospace Industry are proud of our partnership with SpaceIL in the development and construction of the spacecraft. This is a tremendous technological achievement that constitutes a significant part of Israel's civilian space capabilities, whose significant purpose is to inspire future generations, and to encourage them to choose technology and science studies."