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Jeremy Hanson
Steve MacLean, selected as one of the first six Canadian astronauts in 1983 and currently Chief Astronaut of the CSA, was on hand to announce the two latest space adventurers. Industry Minister Tony Clement was also present to recognize the latest additions to Canada’s team.
The naming of the newest astronauts was no small thing. One year ago, Canada launched a recruitment program. Over 5,300 applications were received. St-Jacques and Hansen have spent the past year going through a rigorous process to be selected. Of those applicants, 79 were chosen for preliminary interviews. Thirty-nine candidates completed flight operation, robotics aptitude and fitness tests, then 31 went to Halifax for tests that examined their ability to deal with high-pressure situations. The final 16 candidates underwent a series of medical and psychological exams at Defence Research and Development Canada and the North York General Hospital in Toronto to evaluate their medical health.
Next to these 16, one couldn’t help but feel inadequate: a test pilot, a trauma team leader, a Ph.D. in applied physics, several fighter pilots, and a medical doctor were among the final candidates… and not one of them unattractive (see a list of the 16 finalists here).
MacLean had nothing but glowing terms to describe the final candidates of the recruitment process, and stressed the honour and importance of the opportunity. "The Canadian Space Agency's two new astronauts will embark on a career which, I can say from personal experience, will be full of adventure and personal fulfillment,” said MacLean. “And they will do important work on behalf of Canada and on behalf of humanity."
Clement, Hanson, St-Jacques
Approaching the podium, St-Jacques and Hanson walked with the quiet ease born of complete self-confidence. Despite that, both had shy grins and lacked any semblance of arrogance.
Both astronauts’ speeches were short and heartfelt. Jeremy Hanson, born in London, Ontario, currently resides in Cold Lake, Alberta, where he is a Combat Operations Officer. “Today is the realization of a lifelong dream and goal of mine,” said Hanson. “It’s great Canadian values that have me standing before you today.” In addition to a B.Sc. in Space Science and a M.Sc. in Physics, both from the Royal Military College, the 33-year-old is also an award-winning CF-18 fighter pilot.
39-year-old St-Jacques, a Quebec native with a Ph.D in Astrophysics from Cambridge University in England as well as a medical license, spoke in French. “Ces emotions sont mélangés dans ma tête,” he said, with emotion in his voice. “Aujour d’hui c’est la completion d’un rêve complètement fou.” (“These emotions are mixed in my head. Today is the realization of a completely mad dream.”)
Before being eligible to serve on space missions, the two newest astronauts must undergo four to five more years of rigorous training, beginning with brief training at the CSA headquarters this summer. In August 2009, they will begin their astronaut training at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Until then, the new Canadian Space Agency astronauts will support the launch activities of their colleagues, Canadian astronauts, Robert Thirsk and Julie Payette.
Both Thirsk and Payette are scheduled to fly into space this year. On May 27, Thirsk will be lifting off on a Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station, where will sta
David St-Jacques
The Canadian Space Agency has only conducted three recruitment drives. This latest campaign was considered among the most rigorous in the world. NASA, which is now recruiting along with Japan and Europe, sent observers to watch how Canada picks its spacemen and women. Throughout the recruitment process, about 18-22% of the candidates were women. In the end, only one made the final shortlist.
Stephane Corbin, project manager for the astronaut recruitment program, spoke about the importance of personality when selecting a new astronaut, as most of the astronauts’ time is spent as an international ambassador for Canada, and is an integral part of public relations. "These are very passionate individuals, type A individuals who are high achievers, performers. They don't content themselves with just a regular day job that would take them to the office from 9 to 5."
More information on the Canadian Space Agency can be found here.
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