Space Shuttle Columbia: Mission of Hope

On February 1, 2003, the American space shuttle Columbia disintegrated during re-entry over east Texas, killing seven astronauts—six Americans and one Israeli. Filmmaker Daniel Cohen's PBS-aired documentary concentrates on the latter: Ilan Ramon—son of a Holocaust survivor—who was passionately devoted to Israel's existence and security, becoming an expert fighter pilot, and even participating in the 1981 bombing of a nuclear facility in Iraq. Ramon, who was also dedicated to the spirit of hope and scientific inquiry (both for the benefit of Israel and the rest of the world), joined the diverse, multi-ethnic crew in training for the 2003 mission. Coping with delays, the rigors of training, separations from family, and the language difference, Ramon overcame all of these barriers, making his end even more tragic. Considerable footage is devoted to a miniature Torah that Ramon acquired from a survivor of the Bergen-Belsen death camp, which he took with him into space as a symbol of Jewish pride, survival, and hope (sadly, the small Torah was never recovered from the disaster wreckage). Ramon's widow, surviving colleagues, Israeli officials, family members, and friends here remember the astronaut's infectious enthusiasm for life and his work. Although somewhat misleadingly titled—since less coverage is given to the cause of the disaster, or the lives of the other members of Columbia's crew—this inspiring title combining Jewish and space exploration history is recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)