Ilan Ramon

This year's NASA Remembrance day held a special significance for Israel, as it marked the 20th anniversary of the death of Israel's first astronaut.

Ramon, Israel's first astronaut, was killed along with the rest of his crew when the space shuttle disintegrated upon reentering the Earth's atmosphere.

The mission, led by Houston-based start-up Axiom Space in partnership with SpaceX and NASA is a historic moment for science and space travel

Israelis, supporters of Israel and space travel enthusiasts will be rooting for the crew as they follow the progress of the exciting 10-day Rakia mission, which is set to dock at the ISS on Saturday.

During its launch, the space shuttle orbiter's left wing was damaged when part of the polyurethane foam insulation on the external tank broke off. This would lead to the disaster upon reentry

Mitzpe Ramon is a small town in the southern Negev desert established three years after the State of Israel was founded.

Axiom Space, the company organizing the trip, said that at least 25 experiments will be conducted in space, requiring over 100 hours of research work conducted by the astronauts.

“Israel is a very important part of me,” Meir said, mentioning the personal items she brought to the International Space Station, such as an Israeli flag and Hanukkah socks.

As a 23-year-old fighter pilot, Ramon was pondering his purpose in the world. A professor offered insight.

The former fighter pilot and astronaut discussed the connection between the strike, his mother who survived the Holocaust and his mission to space.

Once Ramon was in space, the impending disaster added pathos to the diary entries and emails, many of which expressed Ramon’s desire for his wife and his devoted and thoughtful fatherhood.