Distill3d
Mar 17, 2009, 2:50 PM
Calgarian gunning for astronaut corps
BY NICK LEWIS, CALGARY HERALDMARCH 17, 2009 8:02 AM
Like any boy growing up in Calgary, Jameel Janjua played street hockey in his Braeside neighbourhood, religiously watched Top Gun and dreamed of flying in space. But while the rest of us continue to dream, Janjua can soon see his take flight.
The CF-18 Hornet combat pilot is among 16 candidates across Canada vying for two available spots on Canada's Astronaut Corps. If he is selected, he could live out a lifelong dream of supporting, training and flying on international space missions with the Canadian Space Agency.
"It is, quite literally, the chance of a lifetime," said the 30-year-old who now lives in Alouette, Que. "How infrequently in the history of astroculture in this country has an opportunity such as this presented itself?"
Only twice before, in fact.
So when the CSA launched only its third National Astronaut Recruitment Campaign in May 2008, Janjua and 5,350 other Canadians applied to meet the demand of astronaut training and space flight. The finalists were announced Monday.
The elite field of 16 that has been whittled down since includes doctors, engineers, university professors, fighter pilots, a zoologist and even a former Olympic kayaker, representing communities from coast to coast. The group consists of 15 men and one woman.
"The top 16 candidates rep-resent an incredibly accomplished, well-rounded and diverse group of Canadians," CSA president and former astronaut Steve MacLean said in a news release.
The field of 16 includes a number of candidates with ties to Alberta.
Kenneth Welch, 41,was born and raised in Cardston, and is now a senior researcher in nanotechnology working at Uppsala University in Sweden. His mother Arlene Welch said it doesn't surprise her to hear that her hardworking son has made it this far.
"He's always been inquisitive, he's always wanted to build things," she said. "We always knew he was going to do something big, he just seemed the type. And we're very proud of him and we know he's very happy."
Three other CF-18 fighter pilots with Alberta connections also made the cut. They include Jeremy Hansen and Stuart Rogerson, both from Cold Lake, and Joshua Kutryk, who was born in Fort Saskatchewan. In addition, Geoffrey Steeves, an assistant physics professor at the University of Victoria, was raised in Edmonton.
"Canada is world leader in space exploration and space robotics. This diverse and highly qualified field is a testament to the skill and innovation of our citizens," said Industry Minister Tony Clement.
The finalists have already undergone tests in robotics and flight operation, as well as physical and survival tests in extreme conditions to evaluate their performance and problem solving in high-stress environments. The agency also screened applicants with a series of medical exams, and the remaining candidates expect another round of the same as their numbers thin.
The two chosen candidates will be announced in two months.
"You look at what the process entails and you quickly realize you can't do this overnight," Janjua said. "I can't study for an aptitude test or a physical fitness test or medical tests. It sounds cliche, but the preparation is your adult life."
Both Janjua and Welch al-ready have accomplished adult lives. Janjua has a bachelor of engineering from Royal Military College, and a master's of science in aeronautics and astronautics from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Welch, meanwhile, graduated from the University of British Columbia with a bachelor of applied science in engineering physics, and a PhD in nanotechnology from Uppsala University in Sweden.
The flight simulator instructor also boasts 11 years of experience as a military pilot, with combat missions in Kosovo.
"He just keeps surprising us with the things he does, so we wouldn't be surprised if he does make it," said Arlene.
Despite their impressive credentials, there is still only a one in eight chance that any of the candidates could ever get to see the Earth from space.
"I've wanted to be a fighter pilot since I was five and I've wanted to be an astronaut since I was 10," said Janjua. "And speaking to the group, it seems that that is pretty universal. So if any of the candidates told you they weren't nervous at this point, they wouldn't be telling you the whole truth.
"But by virtue of our careers we're used to a certain amount of pressure, whether it be in academia to make the cut or in the air as a test pilot."
nlewis@tHeHerald.Canwest.Com
source (http://www.calgaryherald.com/Technology/Calgarian+gunning+astronaut+corps/1397573/story.html)
I don't know about you guys, but i think this is awesome news for Calgary! few people get to go into space, but to have a local possibly selected as one of the few is amazing!
BY NICK LEWIS, CALGARY HERALDMARCH 17, 2009 8:02 AM
Like any boy growing up in Calgary, Jameel Janjua played street hockey in his Braeside neighbourhood, religiously watched Top Gun and dreamed of flying in space. But while the rest of us continue to dream, Janjua can soon see his take flight.
The CF-18 Hornet combat pilot is among 16 candidates across Canada vying for two available spots on Canada's Astronaut Corps. If he is selected, he could live out a lifelong dream of supporting, training and flying on international space missions with the Canadian Space Agency.
"It is, quite literally, the chance of a lifetime," said the 30-year-old who now lives in Alouette, Que. "How infrequently in the history of astroculture in this country has an opportunity such as this presented itself?"
Only twice before, in fact.
So when the CSA launched only its third National Astronaut Recruitment Campaign in May 2008, Janjua and 5,350 other Canadians applied to meet the demand of astronaut training and space flight. The finalists were announced Monday.
The elite field of 16 that has been whittled down since includes doctors, engineers, university professors, fighter pilots, a zoologist and even a former Olympic kayaker, representing communities from coast to coast. The group consists of 15 men and one woman.
"The top 16 candidates rep-resent an incredibly accomplished, well-rounded and diverse group of Canadians," CSA president and former astronaut Steve MacLean said in a news release.
The field of 16 includes a number of candidates with ties to Alberta.
Kenneth Welch, 41,was born and raised in Cardston, and is now a senior researcher in nanotechnology working at Uppsala University in Sweden. His mother Arlene Welch said it doesn't surprise her to hear that her hardworking son has made it this far.
"He's always been inquisitive, he's always wanted to build things," she said. "We always knew he was going to do something big, he just seemed the type. And we're very proud of him and we know he's very happy."
Three other CF-18 fighter pilots with Alberta connections also made the cut. They include Jeremy Hansen and Stuart Rogerson, both from Cold Lake, and Joshua Kutryk, who was born in Fort Saskatchewan. In addition, Geoffrey Steeves, an assistant physics professor at the University of Victoria, was raised in Edmonton.
"Canada is world leader in space exploration and space robotics. This diverse and highly qualified field is a testament to the skill and innovation of our citizens," said Industry Minister Tony Clement.
The finalists have already undergone tests in robotics and flight operation, as well as physical and survival tests in extreme conditions to evaluate their performance and problem solving in high-stress environments. The agency also screened applicants with a series of medical exams, and the remaining candidates expect another round of the same as their numbers thin.
The two chosen candidates will be announced in two months.
"You look at what the process entails and you quickly realize you can't do this overnight," Janjua said. "I can't study for an aptitude test or a physical fitness test or medical tests. It sounds cliche, but the preparation is your adult life."
Both Janjua and Welch al-ready have accomplished adult lives. Janjua has a bachelor of engineering from Royal Military College, and a master's of science in aeronautics and astronautics from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Welch, meanwhile, graduated from the University of British Columbia with a bachelor of applied science in engineering physics, and a PhD in nanotechnology from Uppsala University in Sweden.
The flight simulator instructor also boasts 11 years of experience as a military pilot, with combat missions in Kosovo.
"He just keeps surprising us with the things he does, so we wouldn't be surprised if he does make it," said Arlene.
Despite their impressive credentials, there is still only a one in eight chance that any of the candidates could ever get to see the Earth from space.
"I've wanted to be a fighter pilot since I was five and I've wanted to be an astronaut since I was 10," said Janjua. "And speaking to the group, it seems that that is pretty universal. So if any of the candidates told you they weren't nervous at this point, they wouldn't be telling you the whole truth.
"But by virtue of our careers we're used to a certain amount of pressure, whether it be in academia to make the cut or in the air as a test pilot."
nlewis@tHeHerald.Canwest.Com
source (http://www.calgaryherald.com/Technology/Calgarian+gunning+astronaut+corps/1397573/story.html)
I don't know about you guys, but i think this is awesome news for Calgary! few people get to go into space, but to have a local possibly selected as one of the few is amazing!