On April 4, 2019, Israel becomes the 7th country to orbit the Moon – https://www.space.com/israeli-moon-lander-beresheet-lunar-orbit-success.html and https://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/with-beresheet-israel-becomes-7th-country-to-achieve-lunar-orbit/.
The other six nations are
The United States, Russia (as the USSR), Japan, China, the European Space Agency and India have all made visits to the moon via probes, though only the US, Russia and China have successfully landed on the moon; other probes lost control and crashed into the surface.
Once the Lunar Lander successfully lands on the Moon on April 11th, it will make Israel the 4th nation to successfully land on the Moon. Plus, it will create a couple of firsts.
This was a historic achievement for the little robot, but it paves the way for something truly epic: a lunar touchdown attempt a week from now. If Beresheet succeeds on April 11, it will become the first Israeli craft, and the first privately funded vehicle, ever to land softly on the surface of the moon.
I had previously posted about the Lunar Lander – Israel Lunar Lander Update March 1, 2019. I will post an update once the Lunar Lander touches down.
Ups Downs Family History 