Published 2 hours ago • loading... • Updated 2 hours ago
Canadian astronaut reaches International Space Station for six-month mission
NASA says Crew 13 reached the International Space Station in just under eight hours, beginning a six-month mission of experiments and maintenance.
On Thursday, Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk arrived at the International Space Station aboard the NASA SpaceX Crew 13 mission, completing the fastest flight ever to the station in just under eight hours.
Mission specialist Kutryk, 44, will spend six months conducting experiments and critical maintenance work while the Alberta native prepares for a unique personal milestone: his wife is expecting their third child.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly attended the launch at Kennedy Space Center, meeting NASA administrator Jared Isaacman for about 30 minutes to discuss Canada's robotics expertise, with Isaacman stating "we are going to be counting on it as part of the architecture."
Canada plans to unveil a new space strategy in the coming months, aiming to diversify partnerships toward European and Japanese industries while expanding its role in the sector to create jobs and protect national sovereignty.
Renewed enthusiasm for space exploration spans across Canada following Canadian Jeremy Hansen's April flight on the Artemis II mission, marking a memorable year for the nation's research and exploration sector.