Space Florida and Israel's Chief Scientist Announce Industry Awardees for 2nd Round of Innovation Partner Funding

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. (July 20, 2015) – Space Florida, the Sunshine State’s aerospace and spaceport development authority, and the Israeli Office of the Chief Scientist through MATIMOP, Israel’s Industrial Center for Research and Development, today announced second-round winners of industrial research and development funding tied to the Space Florida-Israel Innovation Partnership Program.

In October 2013, Florida and Israel created a $2 million recurring joint fund to support research, development and commercialization of aerospace and technology projects that benefit both Israel and Florida. Seven joint proposals were received and four teams have been selected for second-round awards.

They are: 1. Micro-gRx with the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute at Lake Nona, partnered with Space Pharma of Israel This team will investigate specific changes in protein levels in human muscle and immune cell types to model disease in reduced gravity environments.

Cella Energy, Exploration Park, Florida, and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel The aim of this project will be to develop hydrogen power systems for IAI’s Unmanned Aircraft System platform based on Cella’s unique pelleted hydrogen system. Cella and IAI will work closely together as they develop and integrate an energy dense, green power solution, using hydrogen as a cost effective power solution for unmanned aircraft.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, partnered with STEMRAD Israel This partnership will develop a product to protect astronauts from harmful space-borne radiation that will be a key enabler for the continuing missions of the Lockheed Martin’s Orion spacecraft.

General Capacitor, Tallahassee, Florida, partnered with Elbit Systems Land, Israel This partnership proposes to develop a high-energy and low cost Li-ion capacitor (LIC) for certain spacecraft applications, including the secondary power sources for satellites, as well as those in Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO).

Each company will receive respective funding awards from Space Florida and Israel’s Office of the Chief Scientist, part of Israel’s Ministry of Economy.

“It is always thrilling to be able to engender new scientific research and breakthroughs” said Space Florida President Frank DiBello. “With these new round of awards, Space Florida and Israel are helping to further scientific discovery for the benefit of our countries and the whole world.”

The second funding round of this joint R&D program between Israel and Florida demonstrates the great value of creating international partnerships in the Americas region, being a significant catalyst for technological innovation and economic growth", said Chief Scientist Avi Hasson. “We are looking forward for the continuing evolvement of this program and for strengthening the business ties with the State of Florida”.

“It is a ‘win-win’ for both the citizens of Israel and the citizens of Florida ,” said Consul General of Israel to Florida Mr. Chaim Shacham.

The next joint call for applications is expected to be released in autumn 2015. Florida-based companies interested in more information can visit www.SpaceFlorida.gov Israel-based companies please visit www.matimop.org.il