Jeremy Hansen, CSA, and Hadfield

Anyone who follows my blog knows that I am obsessed (in the intellectual-not-creepy-way) with Commander Chris Hadfield.  I, along with my children and students, have been so inspired by his story and insight into the universe.  Through everything I have read about him I have also learnt a lot about our own Canadian Space Agency and have to say that I am SO PROUD to be Canadian and have a world class space program.  

I have also learnt a lot about an up-and-coming Canadian astronaut, Jeremy Hansen.  He will be the keynote speaker at the ATA Science Council conference where I will be presenting about technology in the science classroom and some kitchen chemistry and lab ideas from Pinterest.  See more here.  I really hope I am able to meet him and finally introduce myself to the amazing people from the CSA.  I'm not sure if any of these people understand just how much their communications and interactions online have meant to me.  I am so excited about teaching science and sharing everything they have to offer with my students!

You can MEET JEREMY HANSEN at the Telus World of Science on Friday, November 15, 2013, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm and 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm  See HERE for more details.


So here are a few thing I've learnt about the CSA, Hansen and Hadfield!

CSA - Canadian Space Agency

The CSA mandate states that their purpose is "To promote the peaceful use and development of space, to advance the knowledge of space through science and to ensure that space science and technology provide social and economic benefits for Canadians." 

Want to be an astronaut for the CSA when you grow up?  You had better get started and, as Hadfield says, make sure every decision in your life brings you closer to your goal.  Other career opportunities are available as well.  AMAZING!! http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/careers.asp

There are a lot of resources for teachers as well.  Love it!

Canada's major space contributions!!
Candarm - Canadian robotic arm on the ISS

Dextre - "The most sophisticated space robot ever built, Dextre is a space handyman with a mission: keep the International Space Station (ISS) ship-shape"

First Canadian in Space - October 5, 1984 - Marc Garneau

First Canadian Woman in Space - January 22, 1992 - Roberta Bondar 

First Canadian mission specialist, first Canadian to operate the Canadarm in orbit, and the only Canadian to ever board Mir (Russian Space Station).  First Canadian to do a spacewalk  to control the Candarm and command the ISS - Commander Chris Hadfield

More Canadian Space Flight History - OOOOHHHH CANADA!!

Major Jeremy Hansen

Read his biography to learn more.  "Major Hansen was selected in May 2009 as one of two members of the third Canadian Astronaut selection. He is one of 14 members of the 20th NASA astronaut class. In 2011, Major Hansen graduated from Astronaut Candidate Training that included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in International Space Station systems, Extravehicular Activity (EVA), robotics, physiological training, T-38 flight training and water and wilderness survival training. Since his graduation, he is assigned as Crew Support Astronaut for Expedition 34/35." - CSA

He is part of a training program preparing for a variety of future endeavors, one of which may include space geology.  That's right studying rocks, earth, and more on the moon, asteroids, or maybe even mars!  See more about how he trained in the arctic and also in caves.  Both very hostile and stressful environments that will help him get ready for a multitude of space explorations.  Read more about it on the CSA website here.

Training in the acrtic

Training in caves

Hansen and Hadfield
Expedition 34/35 was the mission that Chris Hadfield commanded and as such the two Canucks worked closely together.

See here for how he worked as part of the support crew.

See his perspective of Commander Hadfiled's adventures in space here

One of Jeremy's observations about Chris Hadfield

"He really taught us that we live on 'Spaceship Earth.' We only have one of them and it's the only one we have the technology to live on right now and we have to take care of it and we have to take care of the people on it. And that's a pretty profound message, I think, for humanity." - J. Davison