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Israeli Lunar Spacecraft Completes First Maneuver toward Moon
(Jerusalem Post) Israel's first lunar spacecraft, Beresheet (Genesis in English) successfully turned on its engine for the first time and completed its first maneuver toward the Moon after detaching from its launcher and completing its planned orbit of Earth. Its next planned maneuver is on Monday. The spacecraft will traverse four million miles before it lands on the Moon, in the Sea of Tranquility, on April 11. The spacecraft measures 1.5 meters by 2 meters. It cost $100 million - far less than other lunar spacecraft. The craft holds a "time capsule" of hundreds of files digitized on a disk, and contains drawings by Israeli children, the Bible, the national anthem, prayers, Israeli songs and a map of the State of Israel, along with other cultural items.