Space

DATE=2/1/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL/SHUTTLE REACT (S-UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-299086

BYLINE=LARRY JAMES

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The news of the shuttle disaster came at mid-afternoon Israel time. Larry James reports from Jerusalem on the initial reaction to the loss of the space craft and its crew, which included Israel's first astronaut.

TEXT: Israelis watched in shocked disbelief as national television interrupted regular programming to carry non-stop coverage of the loss of the shuttle Columbia.

There on the screen was the unmistakable images of a catastrophe, especially meaningful for Israelis who had reacted with great national pride to this flight because it was carrying an Israeli astronaut.

Ilan Ramon, a colonel in the Israel Air Force and former fighter pilot, became the first Israeli to fly in space with the launch of Columbia, which was only minutes away form touchdown when all contact was lost.

Many Israelis got the news several hours after it broke, since the disaster occurred during the final hours of the Jewish sabbath, a time when observant Jews are not likely to watch television or listen to radio. (signed)

NEB/LDJ/DW/TW