Forty years of Canadians in space

Backgrounder

On October 5, 2024, Canada will celebrate 40 years of Canadians in space, a journey that started with Marc Garneau's historic first flight in 1984. To date, Canada has recruited 14 astronauts through four campaigns. Nine of those exceptional people have participated in 17 space missions.

A series of Canadian firsts

1984 – Marc Garneau is the first Canadian astronaut to go to space (STS-41G).
- He flew again in 1996 (STS-77) and 2000 (STS-97).
1992 – Roberta Bondar becomes the first Canadian woman and first neuroscientist to go to space (STS-42).
1998 – Bjarni Tryggvason is part of the first group of astronauts to be trained as both mission specialists for Space Shuttle Discovery and as potential crewmembers for the International Space Station (ISS).
- He had previously flown to space in 1997 aboard Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-85).
1999 – Julie Payette is the first Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut to board the ISS (STS-96).
- She flew again in 2009 (STS-127).
2001 – Chris Hadfield becomes the first CSA astronaut to perform a spacewalk, during which he helped install Canadarm2 on the ISS (STS-100).
- In 2013, he became the first (and only so far) Canadian Commander of the ISS (Expedition 34/35).
2006 – Steve MacLean is the first CSA astronaut to operate Canadarm2 for an official task in space (STS-115).
- He had previously flown to space in 1992 aboard Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-52).
2007 – Dave Williams spends 17 hours and 47 minutes outside of the ISS over three spacewalks, a record for a CSA astronaut (STS-118).
- He had previously flown to space in 1998 aboard Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-90). He also became the first Canadian "aquanaut," thanks to his participation in the NEEMO 1 mission in 2001.
2009 – Robert Thirsk becomes the first CSA astronaut to take part in a long-duration mission aboard the ISS for six months (Expedition 20/21).
- He had previously flown to space in 1996 aboard Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-078).
2019 – David Saint-Jacques becomes the CSA astronaut who spent the longest time in space: 204 days (Expedition 58/59).
2023 – A series of announcements for our astronaut corps.
- Jeremy Hansen will be the first CSA astronaut to go around the Moon as part of the upcoming Artemis II mission.
- Jenni Gibbons will be the Canadian backup for Artemis II and will receive training to become the first CSA lunar capcom (the voice of mission control).
- Joshua Kutryk will become the first CSA astronaut to fly to the ISS under NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

Impact of Canadian robotics on human space flight

In 1974, NASA sought out Canadian expertise for the development of a robotic arm for the Space Shuttle, the famous Canadarm. That marked the beginning of a close collaboration between Canada and the United States in human space flight. NASA then invited a Canadian astronaut to participate in a space mission, leading to the creation of the original Canadian astronaut corps in 1983.
Canadarm2, which made its debut on board the ISS in 2001, allowed Canada to confirm its reputation as a world leader in space robotics and secured several flights opportunities for CSA astronauts.
- Canadian expertise in robotics has produced commercial spin-offs such as surgical robotic tools for neurosurgery, while Canadian studies on the ISS have helped people suffering from balance problems, such as seniors; osteoporosis; cardiovascular disorders; and Type 2 diabetes.
By contributing Canadarm3 to Gateway, Canada receives a range of opportunities for lunar science and technology demonstration, as well as two astronaut flights to the Moon: one onboard Artemis II and the other to Gateway.

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Date modified:: 2024-10-04