So said the astronaut Gert Reisman, who was a friend of Ilan Ramon's astronaut course, and later accompanied the late Rona Ramon and the rest of the family in the recovery from the disaster. Reisman spoke before the 13th Ilan Ramon Space Conference held this week at the David Intercontinental Hotel in Tel Aviv
"Ilan Ramon's mission to strengthen scientific education was interrupted before it began and Rona completed the job." So said the astronaut Gert Reisman, who was a friend of Ilan Ramon's astronaut course, and later accompanied Rona Ramon and the rest of the family in the recovery from the disaster. Reisman spoke before the 13th Ilan Ramon Space Conference held this week at the David Intercontinental Hotel in Tel Aviv. This is the first space conference held in the absence of Rona Ramon who passed away a few weeks ago from a serious illness.
"The space shuttle Columbia mission was only the first step in Ilan Ramon's plan. Maybe the really important thing was supposed to happen after her. The great influence he could have had due to the wonderful experience, was that he intended to return with it to Israel and increase the motivation of an entire country and give it inspiration. This mission was interrupted before it even began."
"At that point I felt like many of us, that we had to do something to continue the mission, but we didn't think it could be done by one person, but planned to divide it among many astronauts so that everyone would have a part in it. But I was wrong, Rona Ramon took it upon herself and completed the task. She had the strength, power and determination, as well as the wisdom to lead some impressive things."
For example, an event was held this week where teenagers presented projects in the Space Lab competition, in which over a thousand children and teenagers participated, in which the winning experiment will be carried out on the International Space Station. In fact, one out of every ten students in Israel has touched the field of space in one way or another. Only Rona could win for such an effort."
"The activity gained momentum, and so even before Rona got sick, she started passing the reins, as a parent does when the time comes when their children stand on their own two feet and no longer need him to hold their hand. She was also involved in this space conference for many years, and entrusted it to talented people who could manage it without bothering her with everyday issues."
"She used to compare herself to the mythological phoenix (the phoenix), the bird that rose from the ashes and was an impressive bird. She came out of a crisis and took off to heaven. Unfortunately, she is no longer with us, but when I watched the competition participants yesterday, a thousand students who were excited about learning science and space - I see a thousand feathers of the phoenix that is still taking off. Thank you to all of you who supported this.”
More of the topic in Hayadan:
- "Rona Ramon promoted science studies and made them accessible to many children"
- "Space ambassador in Israel": Rona Ramon died of a serious illness at the age of 54
- Bob Cabana - Director of the Kennedy Space Center: NASA has learned to listen to criticism. Rona Ramon: I want them to remember the inspiration, not the tragedy
