 |
Ilan RamonFirst Israeli astronaut
Date of Birth: 20.06.1954
Country:  Israel |
Content:
The First Israeli Astronaut
The news of the tragedy of the American space shuttle Columbia was announced in Israel on February 1, 2003, during the Shabbat evening, at 5:30 p.m. It shocked the Israelis as one of the seven astronauts on board was the first Israeli astronaut - Air Force Colonel Ilan Ramon. Since the launch on January 16, he had been a source of pride for every Israeli. They celebrated seeing the representative of the Jewish state as part of the American astronaut team boarding the Columbia ready for liftoff. They anxiously watched Ramon calmly and confidently performing his duties during the mission. They fervently prayed for their safe return to Earth. At the time of his death, Ilan Ramon was just 49 years old. He was born on June 20, 1954, in the Ramat Gan district of Tel Aviv. He was the youngest in the family of former Auschwitz prisoners Eliezer and Tova Wolferman.
Early Military Career
In 1972, after completing technical college in Be'er Sheva, where he spent his childhood and youth, Ramon was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). During the recruitment process, he expressed his desire to become a military pilot. He completed the pilot training course two years later, despite the temporary interruption caused by the Yom Kippur War in October 1973, in which Ramon participated. From 1974 to 1976, he underwent additional training courses to become an "Skyhawk" fighter-bomber pilot. He flew these aircraft until 1980 and even became the chief instructor of the "Skyhawk" squadron in the Israeli Air Force. In the same year, Ramon underwent retraining on the French Mirage-3 and then the American F-4 Phantom. In total, he logged 3,000 flight hours on Skyhawks, Mirages, and Phantoms, including hundreds of combat sorties and two ejections.
Space Mission and Legacy
In 1995, the United States and Israel reached an agreement to include an Israeli astronaut in the crew of one of the space shuttles. The Israeli Air Force insisted on selecting a candidate from their ranks. Ramon was chosen. His journey to space began in March 1998 when he received a phone call asking if he wanted to be an astronaut. He initially thought it was a joke, but once he realized it was real, he eagerly accepted the opportunity. After going through the selection process, Ramon began his training at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, USA, in the summer of 1998. His wife and four children relocated with him. Ramon's space mission was initially scheduled to take place a year later on the Columbia shuttle, but the launch date kept being postponed. Ramon remained hopeful despite the delays.
On January 16, Ramon embarked on his space journey. Israelis watched with bated breath as the rocket soared into the sky, leaving behind a trail of smoke and fire. Ramon carried out 140 scientific experiments in various fields during his time in space. He photographed sandstorms over the Mediterranean and wildfires in Brazil, providing valuable data for climate researchers. He also captured images of rare atmospheric phenomena known as "red sprites." Ramon's presence in the space program brought immense pride to Israel, especially during a time of conflict and hardship.
Tragically, on February 1, 2003, during re-entry, the Columbia space shuttle disintegrated over Texas, resulting in the loss of all crew members, including Ilan Ramon. He left behind his wife and four children. Ramon's courage, professionalism, and dedication to his country made him a symbol of Israel's resilience and scientific achievements. His legacy lives on as a testament to the power of human exploration and the pursuit of knowledge.
