
Exploration
Canadian Space Agency astronaut profiles
The men and women that have become part of Canada’s space team
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Science & Tech
Seventeen Canadians have taken a major step closer to achieving their dream of becoming an astronaut. The Canadian Space Agency announced on April 24 the finalists of their latest recruitment challenge, two of whom will eventually become Canada’s newest astronauts.
More than 3,700 people applied to the recruitment when it launched in June 2016, but a gamut of medical, mental, physical and psychological tests narrowed the field to the 17 remaining hopefuls who will now start the final stage of the challenge.
“We put these candidates through their paces,” said Jeremy Hansen, astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency, and part of the recruitment team. “We now absolutely know that they just won’t quit.”
“The 17 finalists in this competition come from all walks of life,” said Navdeep Bains, Minister of innovation, science and economic development. Some are doctors, others are officers, pilots, or professors; some have done all four.
The candidates now have a couple of months left of training before the Canadian Space Agency officially announces the country’s two newest astronauts in the summer. Meet the candidates, below. And as Bains said to them: “Good luck and kick some butt.”
Matthew Bamsey, Burlington, Ontario
Alex DeLorey, Moncton, N.B.
Francis James Frenzel, Newmarket, Ont.
Vanessa Fulford, Fort McMurray, Alta.
Michael Anthony Jordan, Halifax, N.S.
Erik Kroeker, Chatham, Ont.
Joshua Kutryk, Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.
Charles-Phillippe Lajoie, Rouyn-Noranda, Que.
Jason Leuschen, Murrayville, B.C.
Robert Riddell, Belleville, Ont.
Jennifer Anne MacKinnon Sidey, Calgary, Alta.
Adam Sirek, Toronto, Ont.
Nathalie Sleno, St. Albert, Alta.
Evan Alexander Beirne Thomas, Montreal, Que.
Andréane Vidal, Montreal Que.
Michelle Whitty, Winnipeg, Man.
Jessy Zroback, Richmond, Va., U.S.A.
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