Canadian astronauts

Canadian Space Agency Astronauts (Active)

Jeremy Hansen

jeremy hansen
source: Canadian Space Agency

Joshua Kutryk

joshua kutryk
source: Canadian Space Agency

Jenni Gibbons

jenni gibbons
source: Canadian Space Agency

David Saint-Jacques

david saint jacques
source: Canadian Space Agency

Which Canadians have been to space?

To date, 9 Canadian astronauts from the Canadian Space Agency have been to space.

The first Canadian astronaut in space was Mark Garneau on October 6, 1990 during the STS-41 mission lasting four days. The first female Canadian astronaut in space was Roberta Bonda on January 22, 1992 during the STS-42 mission lasting 8 days.

The most recent Canadian to have visited space is David Saint-Jacques, who spent roughly 5 months on the International Space Station in 2018-2019.

List of Canadian astronauts & missions in space:

Canadian Space Agency Astronaut

Mission Date

Mission Name

Launch Vehicle

Mission Summary

Marc Garneau

October 6 to 10, 1990

STS-41

Space Shuttle Discovery

Marc Garneau’s first flight involved deploying the Ulysses spacecraft and conducting various scientific experiments.

Roberta Bondar

January 22 to 30, 1992

STS-42

Space Shuttle Discovery

Roberta Bondar’s mission focused on conducting life science experiments in the Spacelab module.

Steve MacLean

October 22 to November 1, 1992

STS-52

Space Shuttle Columbia

Steve MacLean was part of a mission that deployed the LAGEOS II satellite and conducted various scientific studies.

Chris Hadfield

November 12 to 20, 1995

STS-74

Space Shuttle Atlantis

Chris Hadfield’s mission involved the first shuttle docking with the Russian Space Station Mir for joint operations.

Marc Garneau

May 19 to 29, 1996

STS-77

Space Shuttle Endeavour

Marc Garneau participated in a mission focused on various scientific experiments in the Spacelab module.

Robert Thirsk

June 20 to July 7, 1996

STS-78

Space Shuttle Columbia

Robert Thirsk’s mission studied life and microgravity sciences in Spacelab, focusing on biomedical research.

Bjarni Tryggvason

August 7 to 19, 1997

STS-85

Space Shuttle Discovery

Bjarni Tryggvason participated in experiments on microgravity and materials science in the Spacelab module.

Dave Williams

April 17 to May 3, 1998

STS-90

Space Shuttle Columbia

Dave Williams conducted life sciences experiments focusing on the nervous system and cardiovascular physiology.

Julie Payette

May 27 to June 6, 1999

STS-96

Space Shuttle Discovery

Julie Payette’s mission involved the first shuttle docking with the International Space Station (ISS) for assembly.

Marc Garneau

November 30 to December 11, 2000

STS-97

Space Shuttle Endeavour

Marc Garneau’s mission included the installation of solar arrays on the ISS and various scientific experiments.

Chris Hadfield

April 19 to May 1, 2001

STS-100

Space Shuttle Endeavour

Chris Hadfield conducted spacewalks and installed the Canadarm2 on the ISS, aiding in assembly and maintenance.

Steve MacLean

September 9 to 21, 2006

STS-115

Space Shuttle Atlantis

Steve MacLean’s mission focused on assembly tasks, installing the P3/P4 truss segments and solar arrays on the ISS.

Dave Williams

August 8 to 21, 2007

STS-118

Space Shuttle Endeavour

Dave Williams performed spacewalks and conducted educational activities, delivering cargo to the ISS.

Julie Payette

July 15 to 31, 2009

STS-127

Space Shuttle Endeavour

Julie Payette participated in the delivery and installation of the Japanese Kibo module on the ISS.

Robert Thirsk

May 27 to December 1, 2009

Expedition 20/21

Soyuz Spacecraft

Robert Thirsk’s long-duration mission on the ISS included scientific experiments and station maintenance.

Chris Hadfield

December 19, 2012 to May 13, 2013

Expedition 34/35

Soyuz Spacecraft

Chris Hadfield’s mission involved scientific research, educational outreach, and operations aboard the ISS.

David Saint-Jacques

December 3, 2018 to June 24, 2019

Expedition 58/59

Soyuz Spacecraft

David Saint-Jacques conducted scientific experiments and contributed to the operation and maintenance of the ISS.

The next Canadian Space Agency Astronauts that are scheduled to go to space are Jeremy Hansen, Jenni Gibbons, and Joshua Kutryk.

Jeremy Hansen will become the first Canadian astronaut, and non-American astronaut to orbit the moon. His mission, Artemis II, will launch no sooner than 2024.

Jenni Gibbons will serve as Jeremy’s backup for Artemis II. Should Hansen be unable to fly, Gibbons will take his place. In addition to backup duties, Gibbons will serve as Canada’s first lunar CAPCOM, acting as a liaison between ground control and astronauts.

Joshua Kutryk is assigned to the Starliner-1 flight, which will make Kutryk the first CSA astronaut to fly on NASA’s Commercial Crew program. He will fly aboard the ULA Atlas V rocket and Boeing CST-100 Starliner craft. Kutryk’s mission aboard the ISS will launch in 2025, where he will spend roughly 6 months aboard the ISS.

Canadian Space Agency Astronaut

Mission Date

Mission Name

Launch Vehicle

Mission Summary

Jeremy Hansen

November 2024

Artemis II

SLS Rocket – Orion MPCV

Jeremy Hansen will serve as a Mission Specialist on the Artemis II mission. The mission will involve orbiting the Moon, which will make Hansen the most well-travelled Canadian in history. This mission will make Canada the second country in the world to have a human orbit the Moon.

Jenni Sidey-Gibbons

November 2024

Artemis II

SLS Rocket – Orion MPCV/td>

Jenni Sidey-Gibbons will serve as the backup to Jeremy Hansen for the Artemis II mission. If Hansen is unavailable, Sidey-Gibbons will replace him as the Mission Specialist. Sidey-Gibbons would also share the title of first woman to orbit the Moon with NASA Astronaut Chistina Koch, who is serving as a Mission Specialist on Artemis II .

Joshua Kutryk

2025 for roughly 6 months

Starliner-1

United Launch Alliance Atlas V – Boeing CST-100 Starliner

Joshua Kutryk will conduct science experiments aboard the International Space Station during his 6-month stay in space. This mission will make Kutryk the first CSA astronaut to join NASA’s Commercial Crew program.