The U.S. Space Shuttle Atlantis departs this summer on its final flight – the final mission for the shuttle program. As part of The Globe and Mail's coverage of the end of an era, four Canadian astronauts shared their experiences of travelling into outer space.
Marc Garneau
Like many astronauts before him, Marc Garneau was drawn from the ranks of the military. The native of Quebec City became the first Canadian to venture into space in October 1984. He flew on two later shuttle missions. Mr. Garneau became president of the Canadian Space Agency in 2001. He resigned in 2006 to run for political office and now sits as a Liberal MP for Westmount-Ville-Marie.
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Roberta Bondar
A physician and scientist, Roberta Bondar became Canada's first woman to fly in space in January 1992. She says she felt a lot of weight on her shoulders to "do this right" because people would look at her actions and "generalize it to all of womankind." After her stint in space, Ms. Bondar, who was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., produced four books featuring her photography of the earth.
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Chris Hadfield
In April 2001, Chris Hadfield, a former military fighter pilot, became the first Canadian to walk in space. He calls it an "almost magical experience." The native of Sarnia, Ont., says it's challenging trying to work while the big, beautiful Earth spins below. "It's extremely distracting." In two years, Mr. Hadfield is scheduled to be the first Canadian to command the International Space Station.
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Julie Payette
Julie Payette, born in Montreal, flew on two shuttle missions. Her second flight, on Endeavour from July 15 to 31, 2009, marked the last time a Canadian astronaut would ride on a shuttle. She believes the shuttle's legacy will be "fundamentally tied" to the construction of the International Space Station – a rare example of many countries working together "to advance knowledge for all human beings."
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The shuttle's final mission
Ask an astronaut
Readers ask: What will the mid-term future look like for the international space program?
Your questions about the shuttle program and space travel are answered by astronauts Chris Hadfield, Roberta Bondar and Marc Garneau
In Pictures
In Pictures: The final shuttle mission
Photos of space from the Atlantis Shuttle's last mission and of astronauts Chris Ferguson and mission Sandy Magnus
In pictures
Crowds gather to watch final shuttle launch
Kennedy Space Center employees and tourists watched with joy and sadness as NASA space shuttle Atlantis launched on its last journey in the programs 30-year history.
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The Final Shuttle
A look at Atlantis, the last of the U.S. space shuttles, is set to blast off for its final mission on Friday. When the winged orbiters began flying 30 years ago, they were supposed to make space flight economical and routine. Instead, each mission cost more than $1-billion.
Timeline
Highs and lows of NASA's Space Shuttle Program
A look back through 30 years of NASA's Space Shuttle program and the role Canadian astronauts played
In pictures
Amazing images from the shuttle program
Over 30 years, NASA's shuttles have been photographed at liftoff and landing and in orbit. Here are some of the best photos
Audio
Julie Payette describes liftoff, weightlessness and the shuttle
As part of the Globe and Mail's ongoing coverage of the end of the U.S. Space Shuttle program, Julie Payette discussed her involvement in a program that defined a generation.
Chris Hadfield on spacewalking and the astronaut experience
As part of the Globe and Mail's ongoing coverage of the end of the U.S. Space Shuttle program, Chris Hadfield discussed his involvement in a program that defined a generation.
Roberta Bondar on seeing Canada from space
As part of the Globe and Mail's ongoing coverage of the end of the U.S. Space Shuttle program, Roberta Bondar discussed her involvement in a program that defined a generation.
Marc Garneau on his most memorable moments in space
As part of the Globe and Mail's ongoing coverage of the end of the U.S. Space Shuttle program, Marc Garneau discussed his involvement in a program that defined a generation.
From an astronaut
Julie Payette on her career as an astronaut
