Canadian Space Agency<br />St. Hubert, Quebec<br /><br />Celebrating 20 years of Canadians in Space<br /><br />Vancouver, B.C., October 6, 2004 -- A Canadian space milestone was<br />commemorated today when Dr. Marc Garneau, President of the Canadian Space<br />Agency, was joined by Chief Astronaut Julie Payette, Astronauts Chris<br />Hadfield and Bjarni Tryggvason, Vancouver students, and numerous dignitaries<br />at the H. R. MacMillan Space Centre in Vancouver. Twenty years ago, on<br />October 5, 1984, all eyes in Canada were drawn the launch and pride swelled,<br />as Marc Garneau became the first Canadian to lift off and travel into space.<br /><br />Since then, eight Canadian astronauts have participated in 11 space<br />missions. Many Canadian space milestones have been recorded over the past<br />two decades including, Roberta Bondar, in 1992, who became the first<br />Canadian woman to experience microgravity. In 1995, Chris Hadfield, visited<br />the Russian Space Station Mir, manoeuvring the renowned Canadarm to install<br />a module that would make docking on Mir easier for American Shuttle<br />spacecraft. In 1998, Dr. Dave Williams took part in a Neurolab space flight<br />to study the effects of microgravity and long-duration space flight on the<br />human brain. Julie Payette visited the International Space Station in 1999,<br />becoming the first Canadian to set foot inside this incredible floating<br />laboratory being built by Canada and 14 other countries. Dr. Marc Garneau<br />flew his third space mission in 2000 for a total lifetime record of 677<br />hours in space. And in 2001, Chris Hadfield returned to space to take<br />Canada's first spacewalk and install Canadarm2. This was a proud moment for<br />Canada and Canadians when our maple leaf floated in space, 400 km above<br />Earth!<br /><br />"Sometimes I can't believe it's been 20 years!" said Marc Garneau, President<br />of the Canadian Space Agency and first Canadian to travel to space. "But I<br />am extremely proud of all that Canada has accomplished in this short time.<br />We have positioned ourselves as leaders in niche markets such as robotics,<br />Earth observation, and telecommunications. Our astronauts, engineers and<br />scientists, all share that drive, that sense of excitement about space and<br />the boundless opportunity it offers. I am very pleased with our<br />accomplishments as a nation, and I'm excited by the possibilities as we look<br />forward to the next 20 years!"<br /><br />Space flight was once only a dream for young Canadian stargazers; now it's<br />an opportunity. Canadian astronauts, engineers, scientists, researchers, and<br />space-industry leaders share the belief that science and technology<br />breakthroughs will advance our understanding of the planet, the universe and<br />our place in it. As dedicated professionals, these exceptional Canadians are<br />collaborating to continue to achieve global recognition for Canada's leading<br />space science, technological excellence and expertise.<br /><br />About the Canadian Space Agency<br /><br />Established in 1989 and with its headquarters situated in Longueuil, Quebec,<br />the Canadian Space Agency is responsible for coordinating all civil,<br />space-related policies and programs related to science and technology<br />research, industrial development, and international cooperation on behalf of<br />the Government of Canada. The Canadian Space Agency directs its resources<br />and activities through four key thrusts: Earth Observation, Space Science<br />and Exploration, Satellite Communications, and Space Awareness and Learning.<br />With the overall responsibility for advancing Canada's space policy and<br />programs, the Canadian Space Agency leverages international cooperation to<br />champion world-class scientific research and industrial development for the<br />benefit of humanity.<br /><br />For more on the 20th anniversary and the Canadian Space Program, visit<br /> http://www.space.gc.ca<br />or contact:<br /><br />Carole Duval<br />Media Relations, Canadian Space Agency<br />Media line: (450) 926-4370<br />Direct line: (450) 926-4972<br />E-mail: carole.duval@space.gc.ca