Israel’s second-ever astronaut preparing to finally head to space on Friday

After more than a year of preparation and multiple delays, Eytan Stibbe is gearing up to become Israel’s second-ever astronaut ahead of his scheduled take-off this Friday.

The first-ever Israeli astronaut, Ilan Ramon, was killed in 2003 when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry into the atmosphere, killing all seven crew members on board. Members of the Ramon family were on hand when Stibbe’s flight was first announced in 2020, and will also be present at the take-off in Orlando this weekend.

Stibbe, who made millions in business and investment projects including some questionable activities in arms sales, has fronted the full cost of his participation, said to be approximately $55 million.