LONGUEUIL, April 12, 2005 -- Last December, we announced that Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Robert Thirsk had been selected as a backup flight engineer and was training with European and Russian crewmembers. The training was for the Soyuz flight and the Eneide mission that will rendezvous with the International Space Station is now scheduled for launch on April 14, 2005. If Italian Astronaut Roberto Vittori flies as planned aboard the Soyuz capsule, Robert Thirsk will assume the role of Crew Interface Coordinator (CIC). After attending the launch in Kazakhstan, he will head to the newly operational Columbus Control Centre located in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. During this 10-day mission, should Roberto Vittori encounter any difficulties with the science experiments conducted aboard the Space Station Robert Thirsk, who received the same training will work to find a solution with the other members of the ground control team. WHEN: Launch is on Thursday, April 14, 2005 at 8:46 p.m. EDT Launch will be broadcast live on NASA TV from 8 p.m. EDT (Satellite AMC-6, at 72 degrees west longitude, Transponder 9, 3880 MHz, vertical polarization, audio at 6.8 MHz) WHERE: Baikonour, Kazakhstan Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Robert Thirsk will be available for telephone interviews during the mission. Information about the Eneide mission is available online (www.space.gc.ca) including backgrounders, photos and interview clips, mission highlights, and Robert Thirsk's journal. - 30 - To book an interview, or for more information please contact: Julie Simard Media Relations Canadian Space Agency Tel.: (450) 926-4370 E-mail: julie.simard@space.gc.ca
