January 16, 2011, Updated September 12, 2012

Top space experts and astronauts from the United States, China and Europe are set to partake in the Fisher Institute’s Sixth International Ilan Ramon Space Conference in Israel at the end of January.

High-level officials from around the world including European Space Agency (ESA) Director-General Jean-Jacques Dordain, NASA Deputy Administrator Lori B. Garver, Chinese Space Agency Deputy Director Wang Zhaoyao, as well as top officials from the IDF and IAF, and Israeli government ministers will take part in the two-day event. This year’s guest of honor is Israeli President Shimon Peres.

As in years past, the conference provides an open forum for the space community to discuss current technologies, programs and strategies. The meeting is a living tribute to Israel’s first astronaut, the late Colonel Ilan Ramon, who perished with his colleagues on the space shuttle Columbia on February 1st, 2003.

Though small, Israel’s space program is accredited across the globe. It’s one of only eight countries in the world to have launched an indigenous satellite into space. And, Israel is an expert in satellite technology, products for satellites and ground stations.

Over the years, Israel has signed cooperation agreements with space programs ranging from the CSA in Canada, to France’s CNES, Russia’s RKA and with NASA in the US.

The Ilan Ramon International Space Conference – set for January 30-31, 2011 – is a joint effort by the Fisher Brothers Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies, Israel’s Space Agency, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ramon Foundation. The conference has grown from 300 participants in the first years to 1750 participants this year.

 

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