of the Israel Space Agency (ISA) in 1983 and pioneer of the nation’s acquisition of nuclear technology. Born in Tel Aviv, Ne’eman schooled at the Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, and spent 12 years in the Israel Defense Force, before attending Imperial College in London in 1958 where he received his doctorate in chemical and electrical engineering. Ne’eman made several discoveries in subatomic particle physics, including the ‘eightfold way’ of classification; he also first suggested the existence of particles now known as quarks. Ne’eman also founded and headed the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Tel Aviv University (1965–72) and established its school of engineering as founding director (1969). After founding the ISA, he served on Israel’s Atomic Energy Commission (1965–84) and others. Ne’eman published over 350 scientific papers and 20 books. He has received numerous awards, including the Einstein Medal in 1969, and headed the ISA until shortly before his death.