It looks as if NASA officials will be visiting the holy land in order to honor Ilan Ramon, Israel’s first astronaut who tragically perished on board the Columbia Shuttle.
(Ha’aretz) A delegation from NASA will arrive in Israel on Sunday for a six-day visit to participate in memorial ceremonies taking place for Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut, who died in the the Columbia space shuttle crash five years ago.
The delegation, comprised of astronauts Sonita Williams and Michael Lopez and NASA scientists, is expected to take part in the third international space conference in Herzliya, visit schools and universities, and meet President Shimon Peres and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.
NASA visited Israel last year in order to honor Ramon’s memory, which hopefully helps his family (as well as the Jewish nation) recover from the tragedy that ocurred five years ago.
Hopefully Israel will consider sending another astronaut to space, as it would help to not only honor Ilan’s memory, but also elevate the country once again as a space faring nation.
