Israel's Moon-Bound Spacecraft Sends Back First Selfie From 20K Miles Over Earth

Israel's Beresheet spacecraft sent back its first image from more than 20,000 miles above the earth.

The spacecraft, which is the first one Israel has sent to the moon, took a picture with its "selfie camera" and sent it back to scientists on the ground Tuesday.

WOW!!! 1ˢᵗ #selfie of @TeamSpaceIL's moon-bound #Beresheet, taken 37,600㎞ from earth, featuring the spacecraft's plaque with the flag of Israel+the inscription:
 
  
The background is an Earth view of Australia pic.twitter.com/mipVlbbYkP

— Elad Ratson  (@EladRatson) March 5, 2019

Australia is clearly seen in the image, along with a small sign installed on the front of the spacecraft with the message "Am Yisrael Chai" (The People of Israel Live) and an Israeli flag.

The sign also has an inscription that reads "Small country big dreams."

"The selfie of the spacecraft is proof of the technological power of Israel," said the Israeli Minister of Science and Technology Ofir Akunis, according to The Jerusalem Post. "Despite the small size of the spacecraft Beresheet, it brings us great joy. The spacecraft is proof of the technological strength and power of Israel, and its success passes on an educational message as well to the children of Israel: You need to dream big," he said.

Beresheet launched from Cape Canaveral last month and is expected to land on the moon April 11.

If Israel is successful, it will become the fourth country to make it to the moon, after the US, Russia, and China.