Government announces a significant new investment to confirm Canada's future in space exploration
June 2, 2015 - Ottawa, Ontario - Canadian Space Agency
Industry Minister James Moore was joined today in Ottawa by Commander Chris Hadfield and astronauts Jeremy Hansen and David Saint-Jacques where he announced Canada's commitment to fly two Canadian astronauts to space by 2024.
The announcement is the result of the Government of Canada's decision to renew Canada's participation in the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS is a joint endeavour among space agencies from Canada, the United States, Japan, Russia, and the European Union. Canada is the 3rd country to extend its participation until 2024.
Today's announcement follows in the footsteps of Col. Chris Hadfield's historic mission as Commander of the ISS. This commitment will ensure that both Jeremy Hansen and David Saint-Jacques, Canada's active astronauts will fly to space. It also signals Canada's involvement in future space missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
Minister Moore also announced three additional measures:
- The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) will provide $10.5 million to MDA to continue technical support for Canadarm2, Dextre, and the mobile base on the ISS;
- Canada is extending by two years its collaboration with NASA to participate in the Mars Science Laboratory mission, also known as the Mars Curiosity rover; and
- Four new Canadian science experiments to be conducted aboard the ISS in the fall. The experiments, led by Canadian universities, will test the effects of weightlessness on the human body and investigate health issues stemming from space travel.
Media Relations
Canadian Space Agency
Telephone: 450-926-4370
E-mail: media@asc-csa.gc.ca
Website: www.asc-csa.gc.ca
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