During the flight of STS-107 in 2003 Israeli astronaut Ilon Ramon carried aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia a mezuzah identical to the one shown here. The practice of fastening mezuzahs on doorposts is common in the Jewish faith. Placed inside are scriptural passages written on a small scroll. Made by artist Frank Meisler, this replica is identical to the one that Ramon carried and was destroyed when Columbia broke up during landing.
The State of Israel presented this replica to the National Air and Space Museum in 2010 in memory of Ramon.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Israel
MEMORABILIA-Miscellaneous
Frank Meisler
Ilan Ramon, Israeli
Approximate: 8.3 × 6 × 14.6cm (3 1/4 × 2 3/8 × 5 3/4 in.)
Storage: 17.8 × 24.1 × 11.4cm (7 in. × 9 1/2 in. × 4 1/2 in.)
Granite
Non Magnetic Metal
Paint
A20100099000
Gift of State of Israel
National Air and Space Museum
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.