IDF Pilot, 1st Israeli Astronaut, a Pioneer

“Col. Ramon was the first Israeli astronaut to take part in a space mission, giving pride to Israelis and people around the world.” 

Col. Ilan Ramon was drafted to the IDF Pilots Course in 1972. He officially became an IDF Pilot after 2 years of the course and graduated at the top of his class. During the course, Col. Ramon fought in the Yom Kippur War against

Syria and Egypt. Col. Ramon was one of the first pilots to create an F-16 squadron after the IAF acquired new F-16’s. From 1981-1983, he served as the Deputy Squadron Commander B for the F-16 Squadron.

Ilan Ramon walking in line during Pilots Course

Col. Ramon continued his trajectory in the IDF by becoming a Deputy Squadron Commander in 1988. In 1994 Col. Ramon was promoted to Colonel, putting him in charge of developing the weapons systems for the entire Israeli Air Force. 

In April 1997, Col. Ramon became the first Israeli astronaut to take part in a space mission and began training for the United States Space Program. Israel started to develop its space program in 1970 and by 1988, the Israeli Space Agency (ISA) launched its first satellite, the Ofeq 1. Israel was one of just seven countries to launch a self made satellite and started to develop relationships with other space programs. 

In 1998, the Israeli and American governments launched the Mediterranean Israeli Dust Experiment with a goal of researching the effect that desert has regarding global warming. Col. Ramon was selected by NASA to serve as a Payload Specialist for the Mediterranean Israeli Dust Experiment on the Columbia Shuttle Spacecraft. Col. Ramon was a proud Israeli, representing the State of Israel with a patch of the Israeli flag on his space suit.

Picture of the Columbia Shuttle spacecraft team. Ilan Ramon wearing an Israeli flag patch on his space suit.

Col. Ramon boarded the Columbia Shuttle spacecraft on January 16, 2003 for the 16 day Mediterranean Israeli Dust Experiment mission. While on board, Col. Ramon wrote to Israeli President Moshe Katsav: “Mr. President… Please convey my deep appreciation to all of Israel’s citizens, and let them know that I am honored to be their first representative ever in space. In our mission, we have a variety of international scientific experiments and scientists working… for the benefit of all mankind. From space our world looks as one unit without borders. So let me call from up here in space let’s work our war for peace and better life for every one on Earth.” 

On February 1, 2003, the Columbia Shuttle spacecraft was headed back to earth and a problem developed. NASA’s ground control noticed that tempter’s rose in the brakes, wheels and wing flaps. All communication was lost at 9:00 a.m. Later on that day, United States President George W. Bush reported that the Columbia Shuttle spacecraft was lost and no one survived.

Ilan with his late wife, Rona Ramon

During his funeral at the Lod Air Force Base, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon spoke about Col. Ramon: “Ilan, the son of a mother who survived the Holocaust, and a father who is a veteran of the war of Independence, was a courageous combat pilot and an outstanding officer, and was among the best of our sons and warriors. On his last mission he soared higher than any other Israeli, and realized his dream.”