NASA awards prestigious prize to young Israeli scientist

The United States space agency, NASA, awarded a prestigious prize to Israeli scientist Dr. Eliad Peretz for his impressive contributions to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Despite being only 40 years old, Peretz was awarded with NASA’s  Exceptional Achievement Medal, having already held several senior positions at the space agency in the last 10 years.

Peretz currently serves as technology program manager and lead researcher at the Goddard Space Flight Center. His work has had direct implications on space exploration, as it coincides with new missions to space.

"As for me, receiving this award marks a significant milestone in my extraordinary life journey," said Peretz.

The Israeli scientist noted that the award he was granted is a recognition of the team-based space mission under his leadership.

"It serves as a substantial indication of the importance and quality of the space missions and scientific research that I currently lead. It also acts as a compass, pointing towards future opportunities in my professional career and an important moment to pause, evaluate and take stock,” said Peretz. “On a personal level, this is an exciting and personal moment that I am thrilled to share with my family and close friends.”

Peretz is living proof that people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds have the ability to succeed in life with hard work and talent.

Born in the working-class town of Afula in northern Israel to a blue-collar Moroccan-Israeli family, Peretz’s path to NASA began as a student at the highly-esteemed Cornell University in New York.

Looking back at his decade-long career at NASA, Peretz shared his appreciation for the opportunity to learn and ultimately to work at the U.S. government's pioneering space exploration program.

"This scholarship also allowed me to choose where I wanted to work at NASA. I started with sensor development, progressed to designing entire satellites, and eventually worked on designing and promoting space missions.”

"Today, at the age of 40, I'm at the level of a division commander, managing an annual budget of $120 million," he added.

Despite its tiny size, the Jewish state has contributed significantly in the field of space research and satellite technology.

In October 2021, Israel and the United Arab Emirates signed a historic agreement to cooperate on a space mission in 2024 which will reportedly include a moon landing operation with small a spacecraft.