Successful Launch: Chris Hadfield and Canadarm2 on Their Way to the International Space Station

Space Shuttle Endeavour, with Canadian Space
Agency (CSA) Astronaut Chris Hadfield and Canadarm2 onboard, lifted off this
afternoon at 2:41 p.m. EDT from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). This mission
will be a hallmark for Canada as Chris Hadfield performs the first Canadian
spacewalk to install Canadarm2 on the International Space Station.

“All eyes are on Canada today,” said the Honourable Brian Tobin, Minister of
Industry and Minister responsible for the CSA, from KSC where he viewed the
launch. “The leading-edge technology of Canadarm2 will build the Space
Station. Chris Hadfield is delivering more than a robotic arm to the
Station; he is taking to the Space Station Canadian ingenuity and
innovation.”

CSA President W. M. (Mac) Evans highlighted the importance of the mission
for Chris Hadfield. “We will again be holding our breaths when, in a few
days, Chris walks out into the vacuum of space-a first for a Canadian.”

Canadarm2 is critical to the successful assembly of the Space Station-it
will act as a “construction crane” to build the Station in space, and will
be used on virtually every assembly mission. Canadarm2 is the major element
of the Mobile Servicing System, Canada’s contribution to the International
Space Station. This next-generation robotic arm was built under the guidance
of MD Robotics in Brampton, Ontario. Canadian companies from all regions of
the nation participated in building Canadarm2.

Along with the United States, Russia, Japan and the European Space Agency,
Canada is one of the five major partners in the International Space Station
Project, the largest engineering project ever undertaken. Once complete, the
Station will cover an area as large as a Canadian football field (108 x 74
metres) and will weigh 450 tons. Orbiting at an average altitude of 400
kilometres above the Earth, the Space Station flies over Canada regularly
and is visible to the naked eye. In fact, it is the third brightest object
in the night sky (to find out when the International Space Station will be
visible in your area, visit the CSA Website at:
http://www.space.gc.ca/track-station).

About the CSA

Established in 1989 with its headquarters situated in Saint-Hubert, Quebec,
the Canadian Space Agency coordinates all aspects of the Canadian Space
Program. Through its Space Knowledge, Applications and Industry Development
business line, the CSA delivers services involving: Earth and the
Environment; Space Science; Human Presence in Space; Satellite
Communications; Generic Space Technologies; Space Qualification Services and
Awareness. The Canadian Space Agency is at the forefront of the development
and application of space knowledge for the benefit of Canadians and
humanity.

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For more information:

CSA Media Relations Office

Canadian Space Agency

Tel.: (450) 926-4345 or 4370

Fax: (514) 943-4352

Mission STS-100 Website: www.space.gc.ca/sts100-mission