"Canadian Astronaut Kutryk Set for Space Station Expedition, Colleague on Standby for Historic Lunar Mission
In a momentous announcement, Canada's latest astronauts have received their assignments, charting a course for space exploration. Joshua Kutryk is slated for a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), with his journey on the space station, marking the 25th anniversary of parts of the ISS, scheduled for no earlier than 2025. An engineer and Royal Canadian Air Force colonel from Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., Kutryk has been working on Boeing's Starliner, a spacecraft designed to transport crews to the ISS.
Kutryk's mission holds added significance as it marks the Starliner's inaugural operational mission. Meanwhile, astronaut Jenni Gibbons is set to serve as the backup for Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen during the highly anticipated Artemis II mission to the moon, scheduled for November 2024. Hansen's participation in Artemis II makes him the first Canadian to venture into deep space, joining a select group on the first crewed moon mission since 1972.
The mission involves a unique figure-8 maneuver around the dark side of the moon, positioning Canada alongside the United States as the only countries with astronauts venturing that far. Gibbons, at 35, will undergo extensive training with the crew and serve as Hansen's replacement if needed. This mission serves as a precursor to the broader Artemis goals, aiming to land a man and woman on the moon by 2025, laying the groundwork for future Mars exploration.
Gibbons sees her involvement not only as an operational experience but as an investment for Canada's future lunar ambitions. Her role includes learning lunar architecture, procedures, and acting as a vital resource during the mission. Francois-Philippe Champagne, federal minister of innovation, science, and industry, unveiled these historic assignments at the Canadian Space Agency headquarters near Montreal, marking a new chapter in Canada's space exploration journey."
"Pioneering Astronauts: Gibbons and Kutryk Take Center Stage in Canada's Space Odyssey
Jenni Gibbons and Joshua Kutryk, Canada's trailblazing astronauts selected in 2017, are poised to make significant contributions to the nation's space exploration legacy. Joining the ranks of the two other active astronauts, Jeremy Hansen and David Saint-Jacques, who became part of the astronaut corps in 2009, Gibbons and Kutryk represent the next generation of pioneers.
David Saint-Jacques, a 53-year-old astrophysicist and medical doctor from St. Lambert, Que., stands as a seasoned astronaut who spent over six months aboard the International Space Station in 2018 and 2019. Kutryk, an engineer and Royal Canadian Air Force colonel, is set to become the fourth Canadian astronaut to embark on a long-duration mission on the space station. Notably, he will be the first to fly under NASA's commercial crew program, marking a milestone in Canadian space history.
Expressing gratitude for the opportunity, Kutryk remarked, "I feel very, very lucky. That space station is a marvel of human engineering and persistence, and it's going to be my home for a very long time." As the space odyssey continues, Gibbons, Kutryk, and their esteemed colleagues contribute to Canada's legacy in space exploration. This report by The Canadian Press provides a glimpse into the ongoing narrative of Canada's achievements, with its astronauts actively participating in shaping the future of human space exploration."
"As Canada's space exploration narrative unfolds, the inclusion of pioneering astronauts Jenni Gibbons and Joshua Kutryk marks a significant chapter in the nation's cosmic journey. Selected in 2017, these trailblazers join the esteemed ranks of their astronaut colleagues, including Jeremy Hansen and David Saint-Jacques, contributing to the legacy of Canadian space exploration.
David Saint-Jacques, with his astrophysical and medical expertise, has already left his mark during an extensive mission aboard the International Space Station. Now, as Joshua Kutryk prepares to embark on a groundbreaking long-duration mission under NASA's commercial crew program, he stands poised to make history as the first Canadian to do so.
The sentiment of gratitude and appreciation expressed by Kutryk reflects the awe and reverence for the International Space Station as a marvel of human engineering and persistence—a sentiment shared by all who venture into the cosmos. As the space odyssey continues, Canada's astronauts play a pivotal role in shaping the future of human space exploration.
The Canadian Press's report, published on November 22, 2023, provides a glimpse into the ongoing saga of Canada's accomplishments in the realm of space, showcasing a commitment to pushing boundaries and fostering innovation on the cosmic frontier."