Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk is set to embark on a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), following in the footsteps of Jeremy Hansen, who recently circled the moon. Kutryk expressed his excitement during a press call, emphasizing his long-held dream of representing Canada in space.
Hailing from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Kutryk brings a wealth of experience as an engineer, fighter pilot, and test pilot, with over 4,000 flight hours on various aircraft. Selected by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in 2017 alongside Jenni Gibbons, Kutryk was initially slated to launch on Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner but will now fly on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon due to delays.
Scheduled for liftoff on October 1 after a brief setback, Kutryk remains confident in the spacecraft’s readiness. He plans to carry Canadian memorabilia and flags to space, including a cherished pocket watch with sentimental value, symbolizing his family’s journey from Ukraine to Canada.
Looking ahead to his mission, Kutryk eagerly anticipates gazing out of the ISS windows at Earth, emphasizing the unifying nature of space exploration amidst global challenges. Accompanied by NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, as well as Russian cosmonaut Sergey Teteriatnikov, Kutryk will engage in diverse experiments, including Canadian-led initiatives.
Reflecting on the mission’s significance, Kutryk highlights the collaborative effort involving nations like the United States, Canada, and Russia, underscoring the potential for a brighter future beyond terrestrial turmoil.