Browse "Astronauts"

An astronaut is an individual involved in flight beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. Since the National Research Council of Canada held its first recruitment campaign in 1983, 14 Canadians have completed astronaut training and nine have participated in 17 missions to space. Specifically, they have flown as payload specialists, mission specialists, and flight engineers on NASA shuttle flights and expeditions to the International Space Station (ISS). Canadian astronauts have played key roles in repairing satellites and building the ISS using the Canadarm and Canadarm2 robotic technologies, and have advanced scientific knowledge by conducting a variety of experiments in space. (See also Robotics in Canada; Space Technology.)

Bjarni Valdimar Tryggvason, engineer, pilot, astronaut, scientist, educator (born 21 September 1945 in Reykjavik, Iceland; died 5 April 2022 in London, ON). Bjarni Tryggvason was one of the original six Canadian astronauts selected by the National Research Council in 1983. (See also Canadian Space Agency.) In 1997, he participated in the STS-85 mission and flew aboard NASA’s Discovery space shuttle. He was an associate member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and the recipient of numerous awards and honours throughout his career.

Chris Austin Hadfield, OC, OOnt, astronaut, military test pilot (born 29 August 1959 in Sarnia, ON). After a distinguished career as a test pilot, Hadfield became an astronaut in 1992. Over the course of his career, he achieved a series of Canadian firsts: he was the first Canadian to be a space mission specialist, to operate the Canadarm in orbit, to do a spacewalk and to command the International Space Station. He was also the first to record a music video in space — a cover of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” — adding to his celebrity status. Hadfield retired from the Canadian Astronaut Corps in July 2013. In 2014, he began teaching in the University of Waterloo’s aviation program.

The view from a million feet away, his love for two frozen nations—and his fear of heightsThis article was originally published in Maclean's Magazine on October 14, 2013

Dafydd (Dave) Rhys Williams, OC, OOnt, astronaut, aquanaut, scientist, pilot, physician, author (born 16 May 1954 in Saskatoon, SK). Dr. Dave Williams was a mission specialist on two NASA space shuttle missions and an aquanaut participating in undersea research. As a medical doctor and an astronaut, he contributed to vital life-science experiments focused on the effects of microgravity on the human brain and nervous system. (See also Canadian Space Agency.) He has served as a senior administrative officer at numerous medical institutions.

This article was originally published in Maclean’s magazine on April 13, 1998. Partner content is not updated.

David Saint-Jacques, OC, OQ, astronaut, engineer, astrophysicist, medical doctor (born 6 January 1970, in Québec City, QC). Early in his career, Saint-Jacques contributed to advances in telescope technology in Japan and Hawaii, and medical technology at Lariboisière Hospital in Paris. (See also Astronomy; Medical Research; Technology in Canada.) He also worked as a doctor and co-chief of medicine at the Inuulitsivik Health Centre in Puvirnituq, Nunavik. In 2009, he was chosen by the Canadian Space Agency to become an astronaut. In 2018, he served on the International Space Station for 204 days, longer than any other Canadian astronaut.

As a boy growing up on his father's farm just west of Toronto, nine-year-old Chris Hadfield was so spellbound by Neil Armstrong's historic moon walk on July 20, 1969, that he promptly decided to become an astronaut himself.This article was originally published in Maclean's Magazine on November 20, 1995

Julie Payette, CC, CMM, COM, CQ, CD, astronaut, engineer, jet pilot, musician (born 20 October 1963 in Montréal, QC). Julie Payette is the first Canadian astronaut to board the International Space Station, which she went to twice (1999, 2009). She served as the chief astronaut for the Canadian Space Agency from 2000 to 2007. From 2013 to 2016, she was chief operating officer for the Montreal Science Centre and vice president of the Canada Lands Company. An accomplished scientific authority, musician and athlete, Payette is a board member of Own the Podium and a member of the Canadian Olympic Committee’s board of directors. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recommended Payette as Canada’s 29th Governor General. She served in the role from 2 October 2017 until 21 January 2021, when she resigned following allegations that she was abusive toward her staff.

This article was originally published in Maclean’s magazine on May 17, 1999. Partner content is not updated. Things just hit home big time when I flew a Dash-4 over the pad this evening at Kennedy Space Center. There it was - Discovery, all of white shining under the late afternoon sun. I just couldn't believe my eyes.

Marc Garneau, CC, astronaut, military officer, engineer, politician (born 23 February 1949 in Québec City, QC). Garneau has distinguished himself in three distinct fields. As a naval officer with the Canadian Armed Forces, he spent 10 years as a combat systems engineer. In 1984, Garneau became the first Canadian astronaut to go to space and, from 2001 to 2005, was president of the Canadian Space Agency. As a federal politician, he has served as Liberal house leader, minister of transport and minister of foreign affairs.

Robert (Bob) Brent Thirsk, OC, OBC, engineer, astronaut (born 17 August 1953 in New Westminster, BC). In 1983, Robert Thirsk was one of six Canadians selected by the National Research Council to join the Canadian astronaut corps (see Canadian Space Agency). In 2009, he became the first Canadian astronaut to take part in a long-duration mission while on-board the International Space Station (ISS). In addition to his career as an astronaut, Thirsk has served as Vice-President of Public, Government and Institute Affairs for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (2012-14) and was the University of Calgary’s 13th chancellor.

Roberta Lynn Bondar, CC, OOnt, FRSC, astronaut, neurologist, physician, educator, photographer (born 4 December 1945 in Sault Ste Marie, ON). Bondar became the first Canadian woman and second Canadian in space when she flew aboard the American space shuttle Discovery in 1992. A doctor specializing in the nervous system, she is a pioneer in space medicine research. Bondar is also an exhibited and published nature photographer. She established The Roberta Bondar Foundation to educate people about environmental protection through art, and she currently serves as one of the organization’s directors.

Steven (Steve) Glenwood MacLean, FRCGS, physicist, astronaut (born 14 December 1954 in Ottawa, ON). Steve MacLean was among the first astronauts recruited in Canada and in 1992 became the third Canadian to fly in space. On his second mission to space in 2006, he became the first Canadian to operate the Canadarm2 robotic arm and the second to complete a spacewalk, after Chris Hadfield (see Canadarm). He has also contributed to the country’s space programs as director general of the Canadian astronaut program (1994–96) and president of the Canadian Space Agency (2008–13).