Will Send Two Astronauts To ISS In The Next Decade

Canada has announced its future plans for space exploration, and renewed its commitment to ISS through 2024.

Industry Minister James Moore was joined Tuesday in Ottawa by Commander Chris Hadfield and astronauts Jeremy Hansen and David Saint-Jacques where he announced Canada's commitment to fly two Canadian astronauts to space by 2024.

The announcement is the result of the Government of Canada's decision to renew Canada's participation in the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS is a joint endeavour among space agencies from Canada, the United States, Japan, Russia, and the European Union. Canada is the 3rd country to extend its participation until 2024.

Today's announcement follows in the footsteps of Col. Chris Hadfield's historic mission as Commander of the ISS. This commitment will ensure that both Jeremy Hansen and David Saint-Jacques, Canada's active astronauts will fly to space. It also signals Canada's involvement in future space missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

"Chris Hadfield (pictured, below) made Canadians proud when he became the first Canadian to walk in space and command the International Space Station," Moore said. "Our government is committed to ensuring two more Canadians fly to space within the next decade. More importantly, it confirms a great future for Canada in space for years to come."

Minister Moore also announced three additional measures:

• The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) will provide $10.5 million to MDA to continue technical support for Canadarm2, Dextre, and the mobile base on the ISS;
• Canada is extending by two years its collaboration with NASA to participate in the Mars Science Laboratory mission, also known as the Mars Curiosity rover; and
• Four new Canadian science experiments to be conducted aboard the ISS in the fall. The experiments, led by Canadian universities, will test the effects of weightlessness on the human body and investigate health issues stemming from space travel.

According to a CSA news release, one Canadian astronaut is guaranteed a flight to space by 2019, the other by 2024. Selection of the CSA astronaut to fly first will be based on mission requirements, which will be discussed with ISS partners during the coming months.

The Economic Action Plan 2015 announced a $30 million investment over four years towards Canada's partnership with the European Space Agency's Advanced Research in Telecommunications System program (ARTES). Through ARTES, Canadian companies in the satellite communications sector will have the opportunity to simulate their technologies in space, an essential part of commercialization. Economic Action Plan 2015 also provides $243.5 million over 10 years to support Canada's participation in the Thirty Meter Telescope. The majority of the Government's support for the telescope will be spent in Canada.

(Images from file)

FMI: www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/default.asp