As head of Israels space organization, SpaceIL, Kahn invested about 40% of the projects funds, totaling $100 million. Genesis entered Earth orbit in February aboard SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket. Genesis was captured by lunar gravity on April 4, making Israel the seventh country to put a probe into lunar orbit.
On April 11, Genesis made an attempt to land on the moon. If it succeeded, Israel would be in the first echelon of space industry, but ultimately failed. So far, only the former Soviet Union, the United States and China have achieved a soft landing on the moon. Those missions were all government-funded, and Genesiss goal was to become the first privately sponsored probe ever to land on the moon.
SpaceIL participated in the Google Lunar X Grand Prix and did not win the prize. Shortly after Genesis crashed, the organizers of the X Grand Prix announced a special award of $1 million. The main goal of Genesis is to drive the development of Israels space program and to stimulate young peoples enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. (passer by)
Source: Responsible Editor of Netease Science and Technology Report: Wang Fengzhi_NT2541