The families of the astronauts who accompanied Israeli Colonel Ilan Ramon on his Columbia space shuttle flight are visiting Israel this week. The families came after an invitation from the Minister of Science and Technology Minister, Eliezer Sandberg (Shinui).
The delegation includes the late Col. Ramon’s wife, Rona Ramon, and the spouses of the other American astronauts – Commander Rick Husband, Michael Anderson, William C. McCool, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark, and David Brown.
Two current NASA astronauts - Dr. Stephen Robinson and Stephanie Wilson are also joining the delegation. “I look forward to the next time I’m in space, so I can look down at this country from up there with a whole new appreciation of what its all about.” Dr. Robinson told Channel 1, visibly moved by his visit.
The original invitation was issued by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to the entire Columbia crew during a satellite call to Ilan Ramon during the shuttle’s ill-fated mission last year. "After the Prime Minister made that offer, we felt it was important to keep the promise, and therefore have invited the families. And to our delight, they accepted," said Minister Sandberg.
The group met with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, President Moshe Katsav, and visited various sites of significance to Ilan Ramon's life. They will also plant trees at a JNF forest planted in memory of the Columbia crew.
The delegation includes the late Col. Ramon’s wife, Rona Ramon, and the spouses of the other American astronauts – Commander Rick Husband, Michael Anderson, William C. McCool, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark, and David Brown.
Two current NASA astronauts - Dr. Stephen Robinson and Stephanie Wilson are also joining the delegation. “I look forward to the next time I’m in space, so I can look down at this country from up there with a whole new appreciation of what its all about.” Dr. Robinson told Channel 1, visibly moved by his visit.
The original invitation was issued by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to the entire Columbia crew during a satellite call to Ilan Ramon during the shuttle’s ill-fated mission last year. "After the Prime Minister made that offer, we felt it was important to keep the promise, and therefore have invited the families. And to our delight, they accepted," said Minister Sandberg.
The group met with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, President Moshe Katsav, and visited various sites of significance to Ilan Ramon's life. They will also plant trees at a JNF forest planted in memory of the Columbia crew.