Ilan Ramon: It is a great honor to represent Israel in space

Israel Insider ^ | 1/16/2003 | Israel Insider

[Israel Insider]

Security reached an all time high at Cape Canaveral in Florida as NASA counted down the final hours and minutes to the launch of space shuttle Columbia with Israel's first astronaut Ilan Ramon aboard. Ramon's wife assured reporters that her husband is "calm and relaxed" but the astronaut's son said his father was truly excited about the launch.

"I am glad that this is making people happy," Ramon told Prime Minister Ariel Sharon when they spoke by telephone on Wednesday. "There is no more important period in which it is good to make people happy. It is an honor to represent the State of Israel."

Ramon also reportedly told Sharon: "I'm sure that if there's someone who envies me or would like to have a little vacation, it's you, with the heavy burden of responsibility placed upon you."

"I am very proud of the first Israeli astronaut. Congratulations to you and the whole crew," Sharon replied. "I wish you well and that you enjoy yourself and all return safely."

Some 300 Israelis, including members of Ramon's family, friends and senior officials from the Israel Space Agency, are in Florida to see the launch of shuttle mission STS-107, scheduled for liftoff between 5:39 p.m. and 8:09 p.m. Israel time.

The 16-day research mission, during which Ramon will perform a number of experiments including the use of a multi-spectral camera to track dust particles from the sandstorms that blow from the Sahara over the Mediterranean and Middle East, had been delayed a number of times over the past two years.

"This is such an exciting time for us ... he makes us so proud," Israel's ambassador to the United States, Danny Ayalon, said at a reception for Israelis on Wednesday evening at a heavily guarded hotel.

Ramon's wife, Rona, said she was anxious for the mission to end. "I don't want to talk about fear. We're not talking about fear. I'm sure NASA is doing everything that is possible not to take any risk and any chances," she said, adding, "The most calm and relaxed person is Ilan."

Ramon's fifteen-year-old son Asaf said his father was "playing it tough," but was getting quite excited.

Ramon will be the first member of Columbia's seven-member crew to enter the space shuttle and be strapped down in preparation for launch. The launch will be broadcast live on Israel's three television channels. The American media has provided extended coverage to the shuttle mission due to the participation of the first Israel astronaut.

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[dennisw]

[montag813]

Enough about this idiot. I am so sick of ethnic identity nonsense. He is not on board to lead them in Jewish prayer. He is ostensibly there as a scientist. So enough with this crap.

[sheik yerbouty]

LOL!

[theFIRMbss]

>Ilan Ramon: It is a great honor to represent Israel in space

The shuttle knows which
way to go. Drudge wants to know
whose shirts Ramon wears...

[Frank_Discussion]

Um, this is a big deal to Israel, and rightfully so. It's also a paper written for Israel, so lighten up. It's a pretty good achievement any way you slice it.

Astronaut Ramon is merely expressing pride in serving his country. We Americans do it all the time, why shouldn't he?

[Uncle Jaque]

Right on; the guy's got bragging rights, and I for one have no problem with that.

At least he is, for a while, out of range of the Islamo-nazis who no doubt are sorely wroth over their inability to do him harm up there.

They may have tried to get a Camel-Driver into orbit on the back of one of those old SCUDs of theirs, but we don't know of many towel-head astronauts who are around to tell the tale. Their inherent hatred is no doubt inflamed by jealosy.

I can see a Turkish Astronaut getting up there in our lifetime; that's about the closest thing to a Civilization going on over that way, as near as I can tell.

[AVREMELE]

nice reply montag - when is the last time there was an arab astronaut? a pakistani asronaut? thank G-d the jews have something to show after almost 55 years of the creation of the state of israel. what do any other middle eastern countries have to show? poor starving people and rich, oil "executive" arab pieces of s_&t.
As for prayers - G-d forbid they should mention the Almighty's name in space - (sarchasm)
You are correct he is a scientist - but first he is a Jew.

[happygrl]

Welcome to Free Republic.

Whatever his religion or nationality, he's not there as a freebie. He is truly doing science. That's the credible reason for him being there.

And out of a world of scientists, I don't mind rewarding our allies with a perk or two. Israel is rightly proud of their first astronaut.