Double Tragedy

Ilan Ramon (1954-2003), the First Israeli Astronaut

Columbia Crew

Ramon was selected as a Payload Specialist by the Israeli Air Force in 1997 and approved by NASA in 1998. He reported for training at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston in July 1998 and was making his first spaceflight. Born on June 20, 1954, Ramat-Gan, Israel Died on February 1, 2003 during reentry of the Columbia Shuttle into the atmosphere. Survived by wife Rona, and four children, Tal, Yiftah and Noa ASSAF (died recently in airplane crash).

Military Service1972-1974 Israeli Air Force Flight School cadet, training as fighter jet pilot.1974-1976 A-4 Basic Training and Operations course on Sky-hawk jets. 1976-1980 Training on Mirage III C jets. 1980 Member of the IAF's establishment team for the first F-16 Squadron in Israel. F-16 Training Course at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. 1981 Participated as an F-16 pilot in bombing of the Iraqi nuclear reactor Tammuz 1 near Baghdad. This reactor was named Osiraq (Osirak) by the French who helped design and construct the reactor. 1981-1983 Deputy Squadron Commander B, F-16 Squadron. 1988-1990 Deputy Squadron Commander A, F-4 Phantom Squadron. 1990-1992 Squadron Commander, F-16 Squadron. 1992-1994 Head of the Aircraft Branch in the Operations Department of the Israeli Air Force. 1994 Promotion to the rank of Colonel. 1994-1998 Head of the Department of Operations for Weapon Development and Acquisition in the IAF. 1997 Selected as Israel's first candidate to participate in the NASA space program of the USA. 1998-2003 Started training at the Johnson Space Center, Houston in July 1998.Trained as a Payload Specialist for the Columbia shuttle space flight STS-107. 2003 STS-107 Columbia space flight (January 16 to February 1, 2003) for 15 days, 22 hours and 20 minutes in space.

Ilan Ramon Decorations1973 - Yom Kippur War 1982 Operation Peace for Galilee.Ilan Ramon perished on February 1, 2003 with hiscrew friends during reentry of the Columbia shuttle, 16 minutes before scheduled landing. He was buried in Nahalal Cemetery on February 11, 2003.This biography is based on official information obtained from the Israeli Air Force (IAF) and U.S.NASA

Israel's first astronaut, Col. Ilan Ramon, blasted off into space on the historic flight on Space Shuttle Columbia on January 16, 2003. The shuttle flight was the culmination of years of planning and effort.The world now mourns this Israeli hero, who lit up the skies with his bravery, smile and love of Israel and the Jewish people. On the occasion of his tragic death, the Jerusalem Post provides articles, audio programs and photographs celebrating the life and achievements of Ilan Ramon, and reporting on the tragic circumstances of hisdeath on February 1, 2003.

CONTROLL CENTER SATELLITE

S128-E-010155 (9 Sept. 2009) --- The thin line of Earth's atmosphere and the setting sun are featured in this image photographed by an STS-128 crew member on the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Discovery.

Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, in a statement following the shuttle's loss, called it "a tragic day for the families, and a tragic day for science. … At times like these the hearts of the American and the Israeli nation beat together. We hold hands and pray together." Ramon’s wife (Rona) and son (Assaf)

The launch of the Columbia Space Shuttle and its fatal descent

Ilan Ramon - Israeli hero

On January 16, Ilan Ramon made a dream come true as the first Israeli astronaut in space. He has made history. For 16 days we followed his pioneered work with hearts filled with love and pride.What looked like a success story has ended with grief.Our prayers for the sake and safety of the seven astronauts who were onboard the Columbia were not answered.In the face of this shattered hope all we have left is to remember,commemorate and follow the legacy of Ilan Ramon, who sacrificed his life for the benefit of mankind.We send our condolences to Ilan Ramon's family.Our hearts are with you.

Commemoration the livesof Ilan and Assaf Ramon

Capt. Assaf Ramon standing with President Shimon Peres at his graduation ceremony from the IAF's pilot training course.

Assaf Death Day Picture taken on January 14, 2004 shows Assaf Ramon, the orphaned son of Israel's first astronaut Colonel Ilan Ramon who died in the crash of the US space shuttle Colombia in 2003, posing next to photographs of his father in Clear Lake City, Texas. Assaf Ramon survived an emergency landing during his air force training, Israeli public television reported on March 25, 2009. Ramon, who is training to follow in his father's footsteps and become a pilot, was guided down by his instructor after an engine failure, the television said, without specifying the date of the incident.

It is rare that a private tragedy pierces the heart of the nation with such strength,” he continued. “Today we all grieve the death of Assaf, who fell from the heavens like his father Ilan.

In a statement reacting to the news President Shimon Peres said "What happened today is more than a tragedy. In our worst nightmares we could never had imagined such a heart-breaking accident."

Israel Air Force Capt. Assaf Ramon 21, was killed Sunday when the F-16A Falcon jet was flying and crashed during a routine training flight near the southern Hebron Hills.Ramon is the son of Col . Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut Like his son, Col. . Ilan Ramon was an F-16 pilot.

Ilan Ramon born June 20 ,1954 Died on February 1, 2003

Assaf Ramon died on September 14,2009

Psalm 139: 6-15 "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your spirit? Where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend up to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there shall your hand lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me, the light shall be night about me. Even the darkness is not dark for you; but the night shines like the day; darkness is as light with you. For you have formed my insides; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I will praise you; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are your works! And my soul knows that right well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in secret, and finely wrought in the depths of the earth." (Psalm 139:6-15)

Micah 4:1-4; cf Isaiah 2:1-5 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the L-rd shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow to it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the L-rd, and to the house of the G-d of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for Torah shall go forth from Zion, and the word of the L-rd from Jerusalem. And he shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide concerning far away strong nations; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, nor shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the L-rd of hosts has spoken it." (Micah 4:1-4; cf Isaiah 2:1-5)

Thanks to Katy for her helpwww.slideshare.net/hermina