5000 Apply to be a Canadian Astronaut

The Canadian Space Agency's recruitment campaign for two Canadian astronauts received more than 5300 applications by the deadline June 26, 2008. Canadian Press reports that most of the applicants were from Ontario and Quebec. A few applications came from the territories and a few hundred were from outside Canada. The average age of the applicants was 32, although Stephane Corbin, manager of the Canadian Space Agency's recruitment campaign, told CP that there were a few "in their late 60s...maybe two or three who met the criteria." About 20 percent of the applicants were women and about 20 percent were francophone.

Around 120 of the candidates will go through detailed medical exams in the fall, and 100 or so will have a preliminary interview before the list is narrowed down to 15 or 16. While only two people will be chosen in May 2009 to begin training to go the International Space Station, it's possible that the last group of candidates may be considered for future space flights.

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