Sean Costello

July 1st, 2017

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) announced two new astronauts who will join its astronaut corps, Joshua Kutryk, and Jennifer Sidey, on Saturday, July 1, the event was tied to the 150th celebration of Canada Day and was made by Justin Trudeau, Canadas prime minister. Photo Credit: Jeffrey Radbourne

OTTAWA, Ontario The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) announcedbig news on the 150th anniversary of the nations Confederation: the next astronaut candidates that the space agency would prepare for trips beyond Earths atmosphere. The announcement was made by CanadasPrime Minister, Justin Trudeau, on Parliament Hill, the nations capital, during theCanada Day festivities.

Joshua KutrykandJennifer Sideywill join the CSAs two current astronauts:David Saint-Jacques (who is currently scheduled to fly onDec. 2018) and Jeremy Hansen (who serves with the CSA evaluation teamand is the NASA astronaut candidate class mentor andleader). This means that these latest two additions will double the size of the CSAs astronaut corps.

Interestingly, overhead, Kutryks brother, Matthew, flew as a member of Canadas CF-18 Demo Team, buzzing the nations Capital.

Canada is one of the 16 nations that are involved with the International Space Station. The nation has contributed the Canadarm 2 and DextretheSpecial Purpose Dexterous Manipulator(SPDM) to the orbiting laboratory. Canadas astronauts have gained access to the space station via NASAs now-retired fleet of shuttle orbiters and Russias Soyuz spacecraft.

Videos courtesy of the Canadian Space Agency

Tagged: Canada Day Canadian Space Agency International Space Station Jennifer Sydey Joshua Kutryk Lead Stories

Sean Costello is a technology professional who also researches, writes about and speaks publicly on the many benefits and inspiring lessons which stem from within the international space flight programs. Prior to joining the growing SpaceFlight Insider team in early 2014, Costello was a freelance photographer and correspondent for various radio and print news organizations, beginning his coverage during the Shuttle era. Costello's chief responsibility on the team is that of Producer for "SFI Live", the live webcast which is shot on location prior to most launches occurring at Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Beginning with the inaugural show which covered the launch of Orion atop EFT-1, all archived shows are available for on-demand viewing at https://www.youtube.com/spaceflightinsider

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CSA announces new astronaut candidates - SpaceFlight Insider