Nasa and the Israel Space Agency (ISA) have signed a statement of intent to expand cooperation in civil space activities.

The agencies will identify new joint activities related to Earth and space science, life sciences, space exploration and other areas of mutual interest.

One of the areas in which the two agencies will cooperate includes space geodesy – the measurement from space of Earth’s gravitational field, tides, and the movement of its poles and crust.

Nasa and ISA will also collaborate on hydrological observations and joint research, expansion of Israel’s participation in the global learning and observations to benefit the environment (GLOBE) education programme and planetary science through ISA membership in the Nasa Lunar Science Institute.

Other areas include launch and range safety, remote sensing data cooperation, and use of the International Space Station for Israeli research and educational experiments.