Journey of Possibilities: Captain Erin Edwards

November 15, 2024 - Royal Canadian Air Force

Captain Erin Edwards is the embodiment of the idea that ‘anything is possible’. From flying helicopters in special operations to coordinating astronaut activities at NASA, she shows that the boundaries of what we can achieve are only limited by our imagination and dedication. Her career path demonstrates that with determination, curiosity, and an openness to learning, we can navigate the most challenging environments—whether in the skies, in space, or in life.

When asked how her military journey started, Capt Edwards explained: “I’ve always loved planes and rockets. I joined air cadets when I was 12 which just served to reinforce my love of flight, and I completed my Private Pilot’s License in 2002. That coincided with my first application to the RCAF. It didn’t work out, so I went to school for geology and had a blast in that industry for awhile going all over the world working in remote camps. I tried applying again and didn’t hear back so I ended up in the Naval Reserve and that was fascinating and challenging.” She credits her time learning how to work as a team on HM Ships with the RCN as part of the reason for her success with her later training in the air force. “I applied to the RCAF again after I had finished MARS IV training – it was successful, and I transferred in 2013.”

When Capt Edwards graduated from the 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School on August 27, 2016, she received the Portage la Prairie Award for displaying the highest degree of professionalism and officer-like qualities in the graduating class. These characteristics set the tone for her career with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

She went on to fly the CH146 Griffon helicopter with 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron in the CAF, where she was one of only a handful of women to complete the rigorous selection course and eventually qualify as an aircraft commander in Special Operations. Captain Edwards not only flew at her unit but was also as a Flight Safety Officer, Operations Officer, Space Liaison officer. She both started and completed her Master’s of Science in Space Science while working these various duties and deploying while at 427 SOAS.

When asked about her successes, Capt Edwards credits her colleagues and supervisors for providing mentorship, and for not letting her miss out on opportunities that came her way. When the chance to be a part of Canada’ space team with NASA came her way, her supervisor at 427 Squadron insisted she apply for the posting, offering to cover some of her many duties so she would have the time to properly apply. She did…and it worked.

“Jeremy Hansen called me in the ops office at work, the office went quiet.” Capt Edwards recalled. “He asked me if I wanted to work with him and the team at NASA.” She enthusiastically answered, “Heck yes I do!” The turn-around time from the call to being on the ground was only about three months, in which time she wrapped up her flying duties, transferred her ops work, and quickly found a place to live in Houston. Reporting to the NASA Astronaut office marked the official start of her new duties and she became the first-ever Canadian Astronaut Coordination Officer. The job has leveraged all skill sets learned as a pilot and allowed her to play key roles in enhancing the experience of Canadian and NASA astronauts.

“Our astronauts have been so supportive, and both the Canadian Space Agency and NASA have given me wide parameters to define the role,” Capt Edwards shared. “Our Canadian Astronauts have such great reputation here at NASA. Along with CSA robotics experts and liaison officers, Canadians are known as hard workers who are dependable. I am proud to be a part of that.”

Her influence within NASA has expanded as has her training. Capt Edwards is the first non-astronaut to take on the positions of NASA Astronaut Office Operations Officer and recently qualified as an International Space Station Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM), the flight controller discipline in mission control that relays what all the engineers are saying into astronaut speak; training which took approximately one year on top of her heavy Ops work at NASA.

“Captain Edwards joined the Astronaut Office team a year ago and has done a phenomenal job in a short amount of time,” states Jim ‘Vegas’ Kelly, NASA Astronaut Office Chief of Crew Operations.  “She just completed her certification as CAPCOM, serving as the voice of Mission Control to our astronauts and cosmonauts in orbit. She is the first non-astronaut Canadian to do so. In addition, Erin serves as the Astronaut Office Crew Operations Deputy Branch Chief, also known as the Operations Officer. She is both the leader and the heartbeat of our scheduling, planning, training, operations, and testing administration office.” He went on to note that “she has quickly and seamlessly become critical to our day-to-day operations.”

She insists that she’s simply doing the jobs she has been asked to do. “I look to make improvements, find linkages, and set up my colleagues for success.”

Identifying a gap in NASA’s multinational arrangements, she found the perfect solution – some home-grown training. Working with her RCAF colleagues at 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School, Capt Edwards ensured Canadian astronaut Jenni Gibbons received the advanced helicopter training and hands-on experience to prepare her for the complexities of lunar landings.

“I never thought that my years flying helos would be a sought-after skill set at NASA,” Capt Edwards explains. “But as we pivot back to the moon, we are using helos to help train the Artemis generation to manage complex tasks like landing on the lunar surface. Working with difficult vertical references in stark environments like mountains at night and dealing with degraded visual environments like sand and snow are surprisingly relevant.”

Her dedication has not gone unnoticed. “When it comes to space, we often have shared priorities, but we also have shared people. Capt Edwards is using her RCAF experience to make a difference with the Canadian Space Agency and at NASA,” says Colonel Josh Kutryk, CAF and CSA Astronaut. “Her recent certification as a Space Station CAPCOM, as well as the Elsie Award she received this September, speaks to her talent and to her efforts in helping to move our shared space program forward.”

When asked what she would like to do after her posting at NASA is done, Capt Edwards has said; “I’m still not exactly sure what I want to do when I grow up!” She knows for sure that she wants to continue to push her own limits and keep learning. In doing so she also hopes to help others gain new experiences that are as awesome as the ones she has had. “I’m having fun trying new and challenging things while also trying to contribute what I can to Canada in the best ways I know how. Ad Astra nerds!”