On Friday June 14, Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
Astronaut Steve MacLean will obtain the CSA robotic operator’s wings
qualifying him to operate Canadarm2 and the Mobile Base System. This
concludes a week-long intensive training at the CSA’s state-of-the-art
Operations and Training Centre in Saint-Hubert.
MacLean will become the first Canadian astronaut to operate the Canadarm2
and the Mobile Base System in April 2003, during mission STS-115. MacLean
will also be the second Canadian to perform a spacewalk.
Joining MacLean in receiving the CSA robotic operator’s wings will be NASA
Astronauts Heide Piper and Sunita Williams. Heide Piper will also be a
crewmember on STS-115.
** Journalists will have exceptional access to the Operations and Training
Centre and will be able to interview and observe the astronauts as they use
the simulator. A brief graduation ceremony attended by CSA employees is also
scheduled.
WHAT Canadian and American Astronauts graduate from unique Canadarm2 and
Mobile Base System training.
WHO CSA astronaut Steve MacLean and NASA Astronauts Heide Piper and
Sunita Williams. MacLean and Piper will be crewmembers for the
upcoming STS-115 Mission scheduled for April 2003.
WHEN Friday June 14, 2002
1:30 to 2:15 p.m.
Interviews and observation of astronauts as they use the simulator
at the MOTS (Mobile Servicing System Operations and Training Simulator).
2:30 p.m.
Graduation ceremony
INFORMATION
Monique Billette
Senior Media Relations Officer
(450) 926-4370
monique.billette@space.gc.ca
