JERUSALEM, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Israel launched its first space innovation bootcamp in the Negev Desert's Mitzpe Ramon town, the Israel Space Agency (ISA) said Tuesday in a statement.
The three-month program by Israeli space-tech company Creation-Space accelerates startups developing technologies for extreme environments, from space-grade solar materials to artificial intelligence communication systems and 3D-printed medical devices, it said.
Technologies target dual-use applications -- initially designed for space missions but adaptable to Earth's energy, healthcare, and sustainability challenges, it noted.
Selected startups will receive 250,000 U.S. dollars each from U.S. investor CreationsVC, plus lab access, mentorship, and funding guidance, it said.
Mitzpe Ramon town, already hosting Israel's densest cluster of space institutions per capita, was chosen this time for its remote desert location and proximity to Ramon Crater, whose Mars-like terrain is ideal for simulating space conditions, it noted.
Supported by ISA and government partners, the biannual bootcamp aims to position the town as a global hub bridging space technology with urgent terrestrial needs, it added. ■
