-
Canada's First Satellite
Alouette 1 was launched atop an American rocket, becoming the first satellite from a country other than the United States or Soviet Union. -
First Flight and Successful Test of the Canadarm
The space shuttle Columbia carried the Canadarm or Remote Manipulator System on its first flight and soccessful test. The Canadarm became standard equipment on space shuttle flights. The Canadarm is used to move, deploy and recover satellites and experiment packages, inspect the shuttle, move astronauts, and help assemble the International Space Station. -
The Canadian Astronaut Program is Born
The Canadian Astronaut Program was announced in Ottawa by NASA and the National Research Council of Canada. Canadian newspapers had advertisements inviting qualified persons to apply to join the Canadian astronaut team. -
The first Canadian to fly in space
Marc Garneau became the first Canadian to fly in space when Challenger lifted off for the eight-day flight of STS-41G. -
Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is formed
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) was formed, taking over from the National Research Council as Canada's primary space agency. -
First Canadian Women to fly in space
Roberta Bondar became the first Canadian woman to fly in space on STS-42 aboard the shuttle Discovery, which carried a series of life sciences and materials processing experiments for an eight-day flight. -
First Canadian to walk in space
Chris Hadfield flew to the ISS aboard Endeavour on the 12-day STS-100 mission. Hadfield became the first Canadian to walk in space when he helped install Canadarm2, the first part of the Mobile Servicing System (MSS), on the ISS. The MSS is Canada's contribution to the ISS and will help astronauts service the exterior of the ISS. -
Longest Canadian Space Walks
Dave Williams joined the crew of STS-118 on a flight to the ISS aboard the shuttle Endeavour. During the 13-day mission, Williams took part in three space walks, a Canadian record. -
Last Canadian to fly on space shuttle and two Canadians in space
Julie Payette became the last Canadian astronaut to fly on the space shuttle with the launch of Endeavour for the STS-127 mission. During the flight to the ISS, Payette marked the first time two Canadians were in orbit at the same time by working alongside Bob Thirsk. -
First Canadian to command the ISS
Chris Hadfield was launched aboard Soyuz TMA-07M for a long-duration flight on the ISS as part of Expedition 34. When Expedition 35 began on March 13, 2013, Hadfield became the first Canadian to command the ISS. He returned to Earth on May 14, 2013 on board Soyuz TMA-07M after 146 days in space. -
