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Canada’s eight astronauts who have been to space are shown in 2003: top row, Marc Garneau, Steve Maclean, Julie Payette and Dave Williams; second row, Roberta Bondar, Chris Hadfield, Robert Thirsk, and Bjarni Tryggvason.

Canada’s eight astronauts who have been to space are shown in 2003: top row, Marc Garneau, Steve Maclean, Julie Payette and Dave Williams; second row, Roberta Bondar, Chris Hadfield, Robert Thirsk, and Bjarni Tryggvason.

ANDRE PICHETTE/THE CANADIAN PRESS

In 2018, David Saint-Jacques is boldly going where eight other Canadian astronauts have gone before, the federal Science Minister said Monday. Mr. Saint-Jacques is going on a mission to the International Space Station, making him the first spacefarer of the two Canadian astronauts selected in 2009.

David Saint-Jacques is shown in 2009. (Blair Gable/Reuters)

To qualify for that recruitment drive, Canadians had to meet some basic educational and physical requirements even before entering the rigorous training process. Would you have passed muster with the Canadian Space Agency? Answer the questions below to find out.


TRY OUR QUIZ

1 What education do you need to have?
a. Bachelor's degree in engineering or applied sciences
b. Bachelor's degree in science
c. License to practice medicine in a Canadian province or territory
d. Any of the above
e. None of the above

Answer: D.

2 How tall do you need to be?
a. 139.5 cm - 170.5 cm
b. 149.5 cm - 190.5 cm
c. 160.5 cm - 200 cm

Answer: B.

3What about your eyesight?
a. 20/15 or better
b. 20/20 or better
c. 20/40 or better

Answer: B.

4 Are you allowed to have laser eye surgery?
a. Yes
b. No

Answer: A: The CSA didn't recommend getting laser eye surgery just to apply for an astronaut job, though.

5 What about your blood pressure?
a. Maximum 140/90 mm/Hg
b. Maximum 150/100 mm/Hg
c. Maximum 120/80 mm/Hg

Answer: A.

How did you do? Share this quiz to challenge your friends.

Answer all of the questions to see your result
Congrats, you've met these basic requirements. But even if you were selected, you'd still have a rigorous training regimen ahead. Here's the CSA's explanation of how the selection process works.
Congrats, you've met these basic requirements. But even if you were selected, you'd still have a rigorous training regimen ahead.
Sorry, you didn't pass. Better luck next time, perhaps? Here's the CSA's explanation of how the selection process works.

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