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Common Ground News

Who was the first Canadian woman to go to space?

Author

James Craig

Updated on March 10, 2026

Who was the first Canadian woman to go to space?

Roberta Bondar

Simply so, what happened to Roberta Bondar?

After retiring from the Canadian Space Agency, Roberta Bondar studied professional nature photography at the Brooks Institute of Photography in California. She published a visual and written chronicle of her experiences in space, Touching the Earth, in 1994.

Furthermore, what did Roberta Bondar do for space? Roberta Bondar became the first Canadian woman and the world's first neurologist in space, launching aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on Mission STS-42 to conduct experiments in the International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-1).

Beside above, did Roberta Bondar walk in space?

Bondar and Julie Payette are the only Canadian women to make it to space. STS-42 was Bondar's only mission into space; Payette took part in two missions. "Neither one of us was allowed to do a spacewalk," said Bondar, though she's confident that Canadian astronaut Jenni Sidey will get the chance in the future.

Where does Roberta Bondar live today?

The Roberta Bondar Park and Tent Pavilion is located in Bondar's home town (Sault Ste.Marie) in honour of the first female astronaut. Bondar also has multiple public schools named after her. Bondar served two terms as the Chancellor of Trent University, from 2003 to 2009.

What did Chris Hadfield do in space?

The crew of Space Shuttle Endeavour delivered and installed Canadarm2, the new Canadian-built robotic arm, as well as the Italian- made resupply module Raffaello. During the flight, Hadfield performed two spacewalks, which made him the first Canadian to ever leave a spacecraft and float free in space.

Who was the first Canadian astronaut to walk in space?

First Canadian Astronaut to walk in space | Chris Hadfield.

Was Marc Garneau an astronaut?

Prior to entering politics, Garneau served as a naval officer and was selected as an astronaut, part of the 1983 NRC Group. On October 5, 1984, he became the first Canadian in outer space as part of STS-41-G and served on two subsequent Space Shuttle missions—STS-77 and STS-97.

Was Chris Hadfield the first Canadian in space?

The first Canadian to walk in space, Hadfield has flown two Space Shuttle missions and served as commander of the International Space Station (ISS). He first flew in space in November 1995 as a mission specialist aboard STS-74, visiting the Russian space station Mir.

Who is Roberta Bondars family?

Barbara Bondar
Edward Bondar
Mildred Bondar

Who was the first woman in space?

So said cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, (pictured left) who made history as the first woman in space aboard the then-Soviet Union's Vostok 6 spacecraft in 1963.

How many female Canadian astronauts are there?

There are four active astronauts in the Corps (Jeremy Hansen, David Saint-Jacques, Joshua Kutryk and Jennifer Sidey-Gibbons) and ten former astronauts who have gone into space. Of the 11 current and former Canadian astronauts who have gone into space, 2 are women: Julie Payette and Roberta Bondar.

Was Julie Payette an astronaut?

Payette holds engineering degrees from McGill University and the University of Toronto. She worked as a research scientist before joining the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in 1992 as a member of the Canadian Astronaut Corps. She completed two spaceflights, STS-96 and STS-127, and has logged more than 25 days in space.

Did Jenni sidey go to space?

She's the youngest astronaut to be hired by the agency. This year, on Jan. 10, she graduated from NASA's gruelling two-year training program, officially becoming Canada's 14th astronaut and the third Canadian female astronaut, after Roberta Bondar and Julie Payette.

What has Bjarni Tryggvason done?

Bjarni Valdimar Tryggvason (born September 21, 1945) is an Icelandic-born Canadian engineer and a retired NRC/CSA astronaut. He served as a Payload Specialist on Space Shuttle mission STS-85 in 1997, a 12-day mission to study changes in the Earth's atmosphere.

What inspired Roberta Bondar?

The Inspiration: A Great Canadian, A Great Cause

Bondar is also the only astronaut to use fine art photography to explore and reveal Earth's natural environment from the surface. Seeing the world through the lenses of a medical doctor, scientist, photographer, astronaut and author, Dr.

What did David Saint Jacques do in space?

During his mission, David conducted Canadian and international science experiments and technology demonstrations, supported critical operations and maintenance activities, and became the fourth CSA astronaut to conduct a spacewalk. He also became the first Canadian to use Canadarm2 to catch a visiting spacecraft.

What did David Saint Jacques do before his first trip to the international space station?

Experience: Prior to joining the Canadian Space Program, Saint-Jacques was a medical doctor and the Co-chief of Medicine at Inuulitsivik Health Centre in Puvirnituq, Nunavik, an Inuit community on Hudson Bay.

When did Chris Hadfield go to space?

Astronaut Chris Hadfield's first trip to space in 1995.

What is Roberta Bondar best known for?

Roberta Bondar, in full Roberta Lynn Bondar, (born December 4, 1945, Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada), Canadian neurologist, researcher, and astronaut, the first Canadian woman and the first neurologist to travel into space.

What are some fun facts about Roberta Bondar?

Roberta Bondar became the first Canadian woman in space when she travelled on the Discovery on January 22, 1992. Not only is she an astronaut, but Bondar is also a neurologist, researcher, and photographer. She established the Roberta Bondar Foundation to educate people about environmental protection.

Where did Roberta Bondar attend elementary school?

Birthplace and date: Born December 4, 1945, Sault Ste.Marie, Ontario. Education: Attended elementary and secondary school in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.