Live from space: David Saint-Jacques participates in the unveiling of new exhibition

OTTAWA, /CNW/ - Today, in a space-to-Earth connection, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut David Saint-Jacques joined former astronaut Robert Thirsk and Peter Schiefke, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Youth) for the official opening of Health in Space: Daring to Explore, a new permanent exhibition at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Taking part in a space mission is an extraordinary experience, but space is also hard on the human body. Radiation, microgravity and isolation all present health challenges to astronauts living in space. Health in Space: Daring to Explore explains the risks and showcases the ground-breaking Canadian science that will make space travel safer for humans, all while helping us better understand the human body on Earth.

In addition to the permanent exhibition, there will also be a travelling component that will tour Canada from 2019 to 2022.

Quick facts

• On December 3, 2018, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut David Saint-Jacques travelled to space on his first mission as part of Expedition 58. During his time on the International Space Station, he is conducting a series of science experiments and robotics tasks and testing new technologies.
• Health in Space: Daring to Explore was created by the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in collaboration with the CSA.
• Through a series of text panels, videos and interactive activities, Health in Space: Daring to Explore demonstrates the science being done to counteract the health challenges faced by astronauts and help humans live better and go farther into space.
• The exhibition also features an area where visitors can learn more about David Saint-Jacques, his mission aboard the International Space Station, and the Canadian science he will conduct while there.
• Visitors can see unique space-flown objects, hear stories from current and former astronauts, and participate in several interactive activities.

Quotes

“The work we do on the Station is helping us better understand the human body and develop new technologies so that astronauts like me can be healthier in space and explore further.”

David Saint-Jacques, Canadian Space Agency astronaut

“Experience has taught me that whenever astronauts voyage to different places in space or perform new tasks, we can expect new healthcare concerns to arise. As humans venture further into the solar system in the coming decades, the risks of space travel will multiply. This new exhibition describes the medical consequences of space travel and explains how the research of Canadian scientists is helping to make spaceflight safer.”

Dr. Robert (Bob) Thirsk, former Canadian astronaut

Links

Canadian Space Agency exhibitions

Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Life in Space

David Saint-Jacques mission overview

David Saint-Jacques biography

Robert Thirsk biography

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SOURCE Canadian Space Agency