President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog on Sunday evening spoke via video link with Israeli astronaut Eytan Stibbe, live from the International Space Station, where he is stationed as part of the "Rakia" mission.
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The Rakia mission that sent Stibbe to the ISS as part of the Ax-1 crew, is led by the Ramon Foundation in collaboration with the Israel Space Agency in the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology.
"My wife Michal and I are excited to be here tonight," Herzog said at the broadcasted event held in Tel Aviv. "During these difficult times on the ground, we are happy to have a source of light in the sky," he added, referring to the wave of terror attacks in Israel.
"Moments like these provide us with inspiration and excitement, especially during difficult days that have seen some dark moments and pain, here in Tel Aviv. This is also an opportunity to express condolences to the bereaved families, to express our pain and to say – life goes on with full force," the president said.
"Looking up to the sky and knowing that an Israeli representative, a representative of humanity and also one of the Jewish people is working at the International Space Station, reads Hebrew poetry and conducts dozens of fascinating experiments, is definitely an important moment," Herzog added.
Stibbe is in the process of conducting dozens of scientific and technological experiments, producing educational content for Israeli schoolchildren in Hebrew, and displaying and creating Israeli art in space.
"Thank you, Mr. President. For the first time, the flag of Israel hangs at the International Space Station. It is very moving," Stibbe said, before showing the president the copy of the Prayer for the State of Israel that Herzog gave him before his departure. The prayer, composed by the Herzog's grandfather, Israel's first chief rabbi, Isaac Halevi Herzog, was presented to the astronaut inscribed in the rabbi's own hand on a glass cube.
Herzog and Stibbe then spoke together with students taking part in a variety of space and science initiatives.
"We are watching history unfold in front of our eyes, seeing where humankind can reach. Think about this facility, this involvement – nobody can take it for granted," Herzog told the students. "It's fascinating to see the power of man and his strength, large and small. That is what is great about nature and humanity. May we receive good news, both from Earth and from space. To the young generation, I say: it's in your hands. Keep going!"
Asked about his first day aboard the ISS, Stibbe said, "It takes about two days to get used to the different flow of liquids in the body and the different sensations of hunger and thirst. It's very different than what you feel on earth.
"The most special thing about the first day here in the station was the cooperation because we arrived as a group of four with no experience – one with a bit of experience, but three with no experience at all – the team that was here, the eight others, have been helping us with everything we need, even with hanging up the flag behind me," Stibbe said, pointing to the Israeli flag.
"Eytan, you are a very brave person and the entire nation is proud of you," the president said, before concluding their conversation.
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