Do You Want to Be a Canadian Astronaut?

Now's your chance. The Canadian Space Agency is looking for two new astronauts to replace Dave Williams, who retired earlier in 2008, and Bjarni Tryggvason who is retiring in June. The agency will also create a pool of pre-qualified candidates to use to fill future openings for Canadian astronauts. The two selected as astronauts will do tours of duty on the International Space Station and be involved in robotic operations.

Aside from the basic requirements of being a Canadian citizen or resident, having excellent health and physical fitness and a science or engineering degree or a licence to practice medicine in Canada, candidates must be creative, operate well under stress, work well in teams, be prepared to be separated from family for long stretches of time and have an engaging personality that will inspire the general public and youth about Canada's activities in space and the fields of science and technology.

If the two previous recruitment campaigns in 1982 and 1993 are any indication, the Canada Space Agency will receive between 5000 and 10000 applications. The deadline for applications is June 26, 2008 and the Canada Space Agency expects to announce the new candidates in May 2009.

Photo: Dave Williams Walks in Space
NASA Handout / Getty Images

More About Canada in Space
Astonaut Recruitment Campaign 2008 - Selection Criteria - Canadian Space Agency
Dave Williams Sets Canadian Records in Space
Canadarm 2 at Work
Canadian Astronauts
Canadian Space Program