Jerusalem, 4 February, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The “Space City” project in Mitzpe Ramon was officially launched in Mitzpe Ramon this week with an investment of approximately 100 million Shekels ($32 million) in strategic cooperation between the Ministry of Innovation and Science, the Israel Space Agency
The new campus includes advanced simulation laboratories that simulate the surface of Mars, a control room for managing space missions, and an innovation center in collaboration with technology giant NVIDIA.
The Ministry of Innovation and Science said the project will position Israel as a key player in the global space economy, while taking advantage of the unique geographical advantages of the Negev.
The choice of Mitzpe Ramon is not accidental. The isolated desert environment offers geological and climatic conditions that are remarkably similar to those found on the Moon and Mars. This similarity allows researchers and entrepreneurs to use the area as a natural “field laboratory” to test robotics, autonomous systems, and life infrastructure in extreme environments – even before they are launched into space.
The campus will include advanced national infrastructure:
Simulation laboratories (Analog Research): Facilities that simulate Martian conditions for technological and physiological experiments.
Control Room: A platform for managing space missions and tracking payload launches.
Robotics and artificial intelligence Laboratory: In collaboration with the NVIDIA Inception program, to develop autonomous solutions.
The EXPAND acceleration program: an incubator for Israeli startups in the field of Deep-Tech and Space, with guaranteed investments of millions of dollars each year.