Joshua Kutryk says Canada’s moon era is coming

He noted that fellow Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s participation in the flyby was especially unique, since Canada is now the only other country alongside the United States to send humans farther and faster than anyone has ever gone in history. It speaks to Canadian leadership on the world stage that helps create opportunities for space exploration through carefully made Canadian policy and sustained investment, he said. “And it’s a result of what Canadians do in Canada for exploration, (like) things that we make, invent and

innovate, and ultimately give to NASA and the world to help with exploration,” he said. “That’s why we’re invited to participate.” As the International Space Station program begins to sunset, the next phase of space exploration is going to be focused on a return to the moon. Advancements in technology allowing humans to survive in space for longer periods of time point towards having a sustained human presence and conducting science experiments on the moon. Although he is uncertain what it might look like, Kutryk

believes Canada is going to have an important role in that future. “I think, in the next couple of years, we know that the journey from here to there will involve untold scientific discovery and invention,” he said. He hopes their work inspires and creates interest in space exploration for younger Canadians. “It’s something that we’ve worked really hard to develop in Canada because of the tangible benefits of inspiring future Canadians to go on and do great, great things for us,” he said. “That’s

one of the things that it’s all about. It’s important to Jenni, Jeremy, David, myself and all of us at the CSA to keep doing that.”

Joshua Kutryk, Calgary, Crew-13, Jeremy Hansen, Canadian Space Agency, International Space Station, return to the moon, flyby, NASA, space exploration