Ottawa, Ontario – The Government of Canada is a proud and committed partner in the International Space Station – one of humanity’s greatest achievements in science, engineering and technology, and a global showcase for Canada’s renowned expertise in space robotics and science.
On March 15, 2013, Prime Minister Stephen Harper participated in a live video conference with Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, who recently took command of the International Space Station (ISS). Prime Minister Harper also moderated a Q&A session from the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa with students between the ages of 8 and 12 from the Ottawa area and from the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada.
Commander Hadfield launched to the Station on December 19, 2012 and will stay aboard until May 13, 2013, when he is due to return to Earth in a Russian Soyuz capsule. Chris Hadfield became the first Canadian Commander of the ISS on March 13, 2013, taking the helm from U.S. Commander Kevin Ford (NASA). Since joining the ISS crew, Commander Hadfield has shared his experience on board via social media, inspiring a passion for science and space exploration among Canadian youth.
As head of the International Space Station, Commander Hadfield is responsible for maintaining the health and safety of the crew, and for keeping the space station productive and functioning properly. Some of these duties include engineering, vehicle safety and the supervision of over 100 science experiments; many with the potential to enhance the quality of our lives here on Earth and further enhance the strength and expertise of the Canadian scientific community.
This is Chris Hadfield’s third mission to space, having previously served on Mission STS-74 (November 1995, Space Shuttle Atlantis) and on Mission STS-100 (April 2001, Space Shuttle Endeavour).
The International Space Station
Along with the United States, Russia, Europe and Japan, Canada is a partner in the International Space Station, an orbiting research laboratory. The first module of the Station was launched in 1998, and circles the globe 16 times per day at a speed of 28,000 km/h at an average altitude of 370 km: covering a distance equivalent to the Moon and back daily. The Station is approximately the length of a Canadian football field.
Canada’s Contribution to the ISS
Building on its heritage of leading-edge space robotics, Canada’s contribution to the ISS is the Mobile Servicing System – a sophisticated robotics suite that assembled the Station and plays a critical role in its ongoing operations and maintenance. Developed for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) by MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) of Brampton, Ontario, the Mobile Servicing System is comprised of three robots that can either work together or independently:
- Canadarm2: a 17 metre-long robotic arm that assembled the ISS while in space. It is routinely used to move supplies, equipment and even astronauts. As well as supporting the Station’s maintenance and upkeep, it is responsible for performing ‘cosmic catches’ – capturing and docking unpiloted spacecrafts that carry everything from science payloads to necessities for the crew on board the ISS.
- Dextre: the Station’s two-armed robotic ‘handyman’, performs routine maintenance on the Station, such as changing batteries and failed components. Dextre reduces the need for astronauts to perform risky spacewalks, allowing more time for science. Dextre also conducts technology demonstrations and recently performed the first-ever robotic refueling of a mock satellite.
- The Mobile Base: a moveable work platform and storage facility that glides on rails across the Station’s main truss (or backbone), to transport Canadarm2, Dextre or equipment from one location to another.
All astronauts and flight controllers assigned to operate the Mobile Servicing System undergo training at the CSA headquarters in Saint-Hubert, Quebec. Robotics flight controllers at the CSA regularly assist the crew on board the Station with robotics operations, and can also operate the Mobile Servicing System from the ground. Mission planners spend months plotting the Mobile Servicing System’s every movement and testing operations in simulators prior to each task.
Canada’s partnership in the ISS further enhances Canada’s competitiveness in space robotics – a key sector of our economy – and provides the Canadian scientific community with access to a wide variety of research opportunities. With continued participation in the ISS, the Government of Canada is supporting high-quality jobs for the men and women of the Canadian space industry.
Canadians in space
Canada’s investment in the ISS allows Canadian scientists access to the unique environment aboard the Station. This access provides them the opportunity to investigate a variety of scientific questions on behalf of Canadian researchers in the area of physical and life sciences for the benefit of Canadians, including: microgravity; radiation; the cardiovascular system; and, space medicine for the development of medical technologies and procedures to enhance performance, and to prevent, diagnose, and treat illness and injury.
The headquarters of the Canadian Space Agency includes facilities for scientists to communicate directly with the crew on the ISS and to guide them while they are conducting experiments.
Canadian astronauts have played a pivotal role in missions to the International Space Station:
- 1999: Julie Payette, Mission STS-96, Space Shuttle Discovery
- 2000: Marc Garneau, Mission STS-97, Space Shuttle Endeavour
- 2001: Chris Hadfield, Mission STS-100, Space Shuttle Endeavour
- 2006: Steve MacLean, Mission STS-115, Space Shuttle Atlantis
- 2007: David (Dave) Williams, Mission STS-118, Space Shuttle Endeavour
- 2009: Julie Payette, Mission STS-127, Space Shuttle Endeavour
- 2009: Robert (Bob) Thirsk became the first Canadian to live and work on board the Station, spending a record 188 days in space (Mission Expedition 20/21, Soyuz TMA-15).
- 2012: Chris Hadfield began a 5-month expedition to the orbital outpost (Mission Expedition 34/35, Soyuz TMA-07M), becoming its first Canadian Commander of the ISS in March 2013.
