Time for another Israeli astronaut?

The new head of NASA visited Jerusalem and said he would consider sending a second Israeli astronaut into space.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine met with Israel’s science and technology minister, Ofir Akunis, and the two men agreed to expand cooperation on issues including the international space station, space exploration, and earth science research

Akunis expressed interest in sending a second Israeli astronaut into space, and Bridenstine said the United States would consider the request.

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Israel’s first astronaut with NASA, Ilan Ramon, died in 2003 while aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, which disintegrated upon re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere at the end of the science and research mission.

Bridenstine also spoke with students in Jerusalem and with officials from the Israel Space Agency to discuss future joint space plans.

JTA Wire Service