Photo of First Israeli in Space

[NewsGuy]

Our man, Ilan Ramon, goes to Space in NASA'a Space shuttle Columbia. Ironically, Ramon is a fighter-pilot who took part in Israel's 1981 mission to bomb Iraq's nuclear reactor.

This is a first for Israel.

Mazal Tov!

[MichaelC]

Originally posted by NewsGuy
Our man, Ilan Ramon, goes to Space in NASA'a Space shuttle Columbia. Ironically, Ramon is a fighter-pilot who took part in Israel's 1981 mission to bomb Iraq's nuclear reactor.

This is a first for Israel.

Mazal Tov! Damn nice to hear that old guys can still cut the mustard!

Does Israel have ambitions for a space program of her own? I hope so. It would be a great field for Israeli science and technology to assert itself. Seems to me, there might be some defense spin-offs from such ventures too.

[NewsGuy]

Originally posted by MichaelC
Does Israel have ambitions for a space program of her own? I hope so. It would be a great field for Israeli science and technology to assert itself. Seems to me, there might be some defense spin-offs from such ventures too.

Yes, and yes. Israel does have a space program and its technology is sure used in capacities other than space exploration.

This is from the Israel MFA Web site:

Less than 10 years ago, Israel became the eighth country in the world to build its own satellite and launch it with its own launcher. Since then, local universities, research institutes and private industry, backed by the Israel Space Agency, have made giant strides in the world's final frontier.

[...]

Nowadays, satellites are essential, among other things, for state-of-the-art media and telephone communications, meteorological forecasting, and air, sea and land navigation. Space activity has also been instrumental in other fields, including desert research, medicine, crystal cultivation and miniaturized computers.

[...]

Israel has made big enough strides to have been accepted into the international community of space researchers, and it has formal space research cooperation agreements with the US, France, Germany, Russia and Holland.

Link:

http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/go.asp?MFAH07sj0

[minusthejihad]

What a life Ilan has lead. I wonder when a stamp or a coin with his picture will be released. Definately a hero for Israel. And what a day for the State of Israel!

What I would have given to see the faces of all of the terrorist apologists, dictators, clerics, detracters, demonizers, etc., upon hearing and seeing this news all day. Even with Israel fighting for its existence, they are able to get their first astronaut into space. How wonderful!

[Mediocrates]

Originally posted by MichaelC
Damn nice to hear that old guys can still cut the mustard!

Does Israel have ambitions for a space program of her own? I hope so. It would be a great field for Israeli science and technology to assert itself. Seems to me, there might be some defense spin-offs from such ventures too.

Yes Israel has a satellite program. The payloads are the Ofek program. The latest was Ofek-5 ostensibly a spy satellite. Additionally Israel launches the Ofek program on a Shavit booster which is home grown. The Shavit is seemingly a third generation multistage Jericho based launcher that specialy designed for very high speed launches. This is a requirement because for political reasons Israel has to launch toward the West away from Arab countries and the physics requires much more powerful rockets.

[MichaelC]

These are great accomplishments. It gives me a sense of security for the future of Israel that they are able to continue such developements while under fire.

But then, so much practice...so much experience under exactly such conditions.

[richcrassus]

Does anyone know that Israel is the largest supplier of surgical lasers in the world, just read it somewhere.

[danholo]

Is this the first Jew in space?'

Reminds me of Mel Brooks' "History of the World: Part 1" where in the end there's a bit of "Jews in Space" where the space ship is shaped like a Star of David... I don't remember the slogan though. Something about guarding the space from antisemites or something.

[elke]

I read somewhere that no, Mr. Ramon was not the first Jew in space. However, apparently he was the first to raise the question of Kashruth regarding space food :)

One thing I found amusing is his ability to actually see Israel from space ;)

In any case, this is absolutely awesome! :cool:

[Formula]

Looking back at this thread really hurts.