Environment, Science and Technology, and Health

NASA Delegation to the 4th Annual Ilan Ramon International Space Science Conference

January 25-February 1:  A week of activities surrounding the 4th Annual Ilan Ramon Space Science Conference began with a visit by the Ramon Family, a visiting NASA delegation, and representatives from the Israel Space Agency and the US Embassy to Israeli President Shimon Peres’ residence and concluded with a graveside ceremony in honor of Ilan Ramon.  Ramon was the first Israeli astronaut, who died with his crewmates in the Space Shuttle Columbia accident in 2003. Full Text

Ambassador Cunningham welcomed the NASA delegation, the largest so far to the Ilan Ramon Conference, at a reception held at Defense Attaché Col. O’Meara’s residence.  The distinguished members of the delegation consisted of Dr. Pete Worden, Director of NASA Ames Research Center; Dr. Garrett Reisman, NASA Astronaut and Flight Engineer aboard the International Space Station; Dr. Smith Johnston, M.D. of NASA Johnson Space Flight Center; Dr. Peter Klupar, Chief, Small Spacecraft Office, NASA Ames; Dr. Jacob Cohen, Chief, Human Research, NASA Ames Advanced Capabilities Division; and Matthew Daniels, NASA Ames Researcher.  The NASA delegation was accompanied by Dr. Sasha Buchman of Stanford University, who researches gravity waves and is developing a satellite system in conjunction with a NASA program to test the physics of gravity wave theory.
 
The conference, held at the Fisher Brothers Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies in Herzliya, attracted a broad range of attendees, including Israeli government and military representatives of all levels, elementary and high school students, and Israeli and international aerospace private industry leaders.  The director of the International Space University, Dr. Michael Simpson, and a delegation of Italian members of the European Space Agency were prominent participants in the event.  Dr. Garrett Reisman gave an entertaining lecture on spending three months in the International Space Station, and Dr. Smith Johnston spoke about the medical effects of being in space.   Sessions focused on space science, space policy, and education to ensure a future workforce for the space industry.  Two graduate students were awarded scholarships in the name of Ilan Ramon for their outstanding research in atomic clocks and hyperspectral imaging/remote sensing, respectively.

Drs. Reisman and Cohen also traveled to local schools to speak to students about NASA and encourage them to pursue education in math, engineering, and science.  The students enjoyed their presentations immensely and were grateful to have many questions answered about what life in space is really like. 

For more information about this annual event, contact the Fisher Brothers Institute or consult their website: http://www.fisherinstitute.org.il/Eng/_Events/Item.asp?CategoryID=7&ArticleID=12&SearchParam=ilan%20ramon

Astronaut Reisman, President Shimon Peres, and Rona Ramon at Beit Hanasi (President’s House)

Astronaut Reisman with students from the American International School in Even Yehuda.

Farid Hamdan (left), Educator and GLOBE Program Coordinator, Dr. Jacob Cohen (third from left), and ESTH Officer Dr. Paul Rohrlich (second from right) with students at the Eroni Yud Bet school in Jaffa.