---
title: "First Private Lunar Lander Passes Launch Tests at SpaceX Facility"
description: "Israeli nonprofit SpaceIL's lunar lander Beresheet has now passed a series of launch tests, putting it one step closer to making space history."
date: "2019-02-01"
modified: "2019-02-01"
authors:
  - name: "Kristin Houser"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/kristin"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/lunar-lander-private-spacex-launch"
categories:
  - "Space"
  - "SpaceX"
tags:
  - "lunar lander"
  - "moon"
  - "spaceil"
  - "SpaceX"
  - "the digest"
---

# First Private Lunar Lander Passes Launch Tests at SpaceX Facility

![Israeli nonprofit SpaceIL's lunar lander Beresheet has now passed a series of launch tests, putting it one step closer to making space history.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/lunar-lander-private-spacex-launch.png>)
*\<em\>Image: SpaceIL\</em\>*

## Testing Complete

In July, SpaceIL [announced plans](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/israeli-moon-probe-launch>) to send the first privately funded lander to the Moon aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

On Wednesday, the Israeli nonprofit [tweeted](<https://twitter.com/TeamSpaceIL/status/1090656461959688192>) that it "successfully completed the testing stage" of refueling and assembling the launcher. The tests took place at SpaceX’s processing facility in Florida, [according to *GeekWire*](<https://www.geekwire.com/2019/israeli-lunar-lander-passes-tests-preparation-spacex-launch-moon/>) — and now that they're out of the way, SpaceIL's craft is one step closer to launch.

## On Schedule

The lander, which SpaceIL dubbed [Beresheet](<https://futurism.com/lunar-lander-spaceil-spacex-delay>), is about the size of a dishwasher and will [weigh 1,290 pounds](<https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-space-moon/israeli-spacecraft-gets-final-element-before-2019-moon-launch-idUSKBN1OG1KI>) once fueled up.

The plan is for the craft to split from the Falcon 9 when it hits an altitude of 37,000 miles. It will then complete a series of maneuvers before landing on the Moon approximately eight weeks after launch, which is currently scheduled for some time after Feb. 18.

## One-Way Trip

Beresheet won't complete a return mission to Earth, but it will send back data collected via a high-res video camera system and a device that will map the Moon’s magnetic field. It will also bring with it a "time capsule" of digital files for future Moon explorers to potentially discover.

If all goes as planned, Beresheet won't just be the first privately funded craft to reach the Moon — it'll also secure Israel a spot as the fourth nation to land a craft on the Moon, behind just the U.S., Russia, and China.

**READ MORE:** [Israeli Lunar Lander Passes Tests in Preparation for SpaceX Launch to the Moon](<https://www.geekwire.com/2019/israeli-lunar-lander-passes-tests-preparation-spacex-launch-moon/>) \[*GeekWire*\]

***More on SpaceIL: [SpaceX Delays Launch of First Private Lunar Lander Without Explanation](<https://futurism.com/lunar-lander-spaceil-spacex-delay>)***

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinjhouser>)