Two Canadian astronauts to return to space

Two veteran Canadian astronauts were named in Quebec Monday for separate space missions next year, the Canadian Space Agency announced.

At a news conference at its St. Hubert, Quebec, headquarters, Industry Minister Jim Prentice said Julie Payette, the second Canadian to fly in space would work as a mission specialist aboard the shuttle Endeavor in April.

In a separate mission, Robert Thirsk would become the first Canadian to take on a long stint living aboard the International Space Station in May for between four and six months, the Ottawa Citizen reported. The station has been inhabited continuously by rotating shifts of astronauts from various countries since 2000.

Thirsk was one of the first six astronauts Canada selected when it entered the space program, and eight Canadians have flown on NASA space shuttles on 11 missions since 1984, the agency said.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International

Related stories:

NASA Tests Lunar Robots and Spacesuits on Earthly Moonscape
Conditions on the moon will be harsher, but prototype NASA robotic vehicles braved sand storms and unprecedented temperature swings this month on sand dunes near Moses Lake, Wash., to prepare for future lunar expeditions. Teams from seven NASA centers and several universities conducted the tests from June 2-13.
Endeavour Crew Returns Home After Successful Mission
After 16 days in space and 250 orbits of the Earth, space shuttle Endeavour touched down at 8:39 p.m. EDT Wednesday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, bringing the STS-123 mission to a flawless end.
Endeavour Set to Leave International Space Station Today
The crew of space shuttle Endeavour is slated to leave the International Space Station today.
Endeavour Astronauts Attach Japanese Module to Station
The crews of space shuttle Endeavour and the International Space Station completed a busy day with a spacewalk and the installation of the Japanese Logistics Module - Pressurized Section (JLP) on the station.
Endeavour Due at Station Tonight
Circling the globe aboard space shuttle Endeavour, the STS-123 crew members have completed their first full day in space. The astronauts inspected the orbiter’s heat shield and prepared for their arrival at the International Space Station tonight at 11:25 p.m. EDT.
Endeavour Launches Into Night, Set to Expand Space Station
Space shuttle Endeavour thundered into orbit early Tuesday morning carrying seven astronauts and Japan's dreams for a space-based laboratory at the International Space Station.
NASA assigns STS-127, Expedition 19 crews
The U.S. space agency has assigned the crews for the STS-127 space shuttle mission and the Expedition 19 International Space Station mission.
ISS Crew Members Flex Robotic Arms to Install Stowage Platform
With the use of Canadian-built robotic arms, STS-118 astronauts installed a new stowage platform on the exterior of the International Space Station.

News discussion:

Space & Earth science news