Eitan Steva, a former fighter pilot will be the second Israeli astronaut in space

Eitan Steva, a former fighter pilot and now a businessman, will be the second Israeli astronaut in space - this was announced today (Monday) by President Ruby Rivlin and the Ramon Foundation in collaboration with the Israeli Space Agency in the Ministry of Science and Technology. Steve, who will fund the travel costs, is expected to take off into space on a shuttle to be launched from Florida in late 2021, for a scientific mission at the International Space Station, and to become one of the pioneers of the private space industry in the world.
According to the agency's announcement, Steve will stay at the station for 200 hours, during which he will conduct unprecedented experiments in Israeli technologies and scientific developments by researchers and start-ups, and is expected to hold activities to make the space world accessible to Israeli children. In the coming months he will begin his training for take-off, and in the three months before the trip he will undergo a concentrated training series in the United States, Germany and Russia.
Steva will be sent into space about 18 years after the death of astronaut Ilan Ramon. He served as a fighter pilot for 43 years and participated in dozens of military operations.
This will be the first mission to the International Space Station, subject to NASA approval, which will be manned entirely by private astronauts. In the project, the bodies will choose together the experiments and technologies that will reach space, and will build the educational program for the children of Israel.
The international mission was initiated and led by Axiom Space. Upon arrival in space, the passengers will stay at the International Space Station (ISS) subject to NASA approval. Along with Eitan Steve, two more private astronauts will take part in the mission.
Axiom Space's mission commander is veteran American astronaut and Axiom Space vice president Michael Lopez Allegria. Lopez-Allegria has more than 40 years of experience in the worlds of aerospace, flying four times and commanding the 14th mission to the International Space Station.
"In a year's time I will have the opportunity to take part in a journey to the International Space Station - a fascinating journey into science, education and the study of the human spirit," Steva said at the announcement event at the President's House. "The International Space Station is one of the world's largest centers of cooperation, where astronauts from many countries live, work and study together - a fraternity we so desperately need, especially in these challenging days of dealing with the corona crisis."
He said, "After the painful loss of Ilan and Assaf Ramon, we founded the Ramon Foundation together with Rona and saw how space exploration stimulates all the senses, arouses curiosity and even challenges the wildest imagination. I hope that our joint journey into space will open new channels for cooperation, peace and faith in our ability To preserve our beautiful star, for the benefit of future generations. "