Shmooze with Dr. Roy Naor of Creation Space

Episode Synopsis

In this episode of Space Midrash, host Jacob Sager interviews Dr. Roy Naor, planetary geologist and CEO of Creation Space, a dual-use space innovation studio based in Israel. Roy shares his journey from researching Mars geology at NASA Ames to launching a space startup hub in Mitzpe Ramon, one of the most remote towns in Israel. Their conversation explores how Israel’s desert landscape serves as an analog for Mars, why startups focused on energy, AI, agriculture, and infrastructure are essential to building a viable lunar economy, and how Creation Space is bridging the gap between deep-tech innovation on Earth and commercial opportunities in space. Roy offers a compelling and clear-eyed vision for the future—one rooted in practical systems, not speculative hype—and reframes Zionism as a philosophy of building in extreme environments for the benefit of all humanity. This episode of Space Midrash is a must-listen for anyone interested in space entrepreneurship, regional development, planetary science, or the real tools needed for humanity to thrive beyond Earth.

Chapters

[00:00:00] – Show Intro & Vision of Space Midrash

[00:01:00] – Why This Episode Matters: Roy as model, not myth

[00:03:00] – Roy’s Background: Geology, NASA, and Weizmann Institute

[00:05:00] – Founding DMARS and Mars Analog Missions in Israel

[00:07:00] – Launching Creation Space as a For-Profit Studio

[00:08:00] – Machtesh Ramon as Mars Analog: Erosion, Sulfates, and Geology

[00:12:00] – Mitzpe Ramon: Off-grid town turned space capital

[00:15:00] – From Startup Nation to Space Ecosystem: Why Israel?

[00:17:00] – The Vision: Building an Ecosystem, Not Just a Company

[00:18:00] – Deep Space is the Opportunity: Not Just Satellites

[00:21:00] – What Creation Space Does (Studio, Accelerator, Dual Value)

[00:24:00] – Startup Spotlight: Oasics and Lunar Data Centers

[00:28:00] – The Global Lunar Tunneling Competition

[00:31:00] – Why AI Is Essential for Subsurface Automation

[00:34:00] – Tech Readiness Levels: Dual Use vs. Space-Specific

[00:38:00] – Regional Partnerships: JNF, Growth Authority, and More

[00:40:00] – Zionism as Infrastructure: Pure and Practical

[00:42:00] – What Roy Would Take to Space & Personal Closer

[00:44:00] – Outro & Credits

Transcript