Mission Accomplished: ISS Powered Up — Lighting the Way – A Perfect Landing for CSA Veteran Astronaut Marc Garneau
Saint-Hubert, December 11, 2000 _ After a little more than 10 days in space,
Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Astronaut Marc Garneau’s STS-97 mission came to
an end today at 6:03 p.m. EST, when Space Shuttle Endeavour completed a
perfect landing at the Kennedy Space Center, in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
“Marc has accomplished outstanding work not only during this, his third
mission, but also over the course of his career,” stated Canadian Space
Agency President Mac Evans, shortly after the landing. “This mission has
marked the culmination of a long odyssey for Marc Garneau and reminds us
once again of Canada’s many accomplishments in space – something for which
every Canadian can be proud,” he added.
During the mission, using the Canadarm and the Canadian Space Vision System,
and with the help of two of his American colleagues who performed space
walks, Marc Garneau installed a pair of solar panels on the International
Space Station (ISS). These panels now generate electricity to run all the
Station’s systems, including life support, daily operations and scientific
equipment. The 70-metre arrays yield a total power generation capability
that approaches 64 kW, enough power to meet the needs of 30 average homes.
Three more pairs of solar panel will have been installed on the Station by
the time it is completed.
Mr. Evans highlighted the importance of Garneau’s role throughout the
mission. “Marc can proudly proclaim: mission accomplished! He has
successfully carried out all of the critical responsibilities that he had
been assigned, some of which were a first in Canadian history. This mission
has been truly indicative of the professionalism and excellent reputation of
Canadian Space Agency astronauts,” concluded the CSA president.
Canada is one of the international partners working with the United States,
Russia, Japan and 11 nations, members of the European Space Agency, to
construct the largest engineering project ever undertaken, the International
Space Station. Once completed, the Station will cover an area as large as a
football field (108 x 74 metres) and weigh 450 tons. Orbiting at an average
altitude of 400 kilometres, it flies regularly over Canada and is now the
brightest man-made object in the sky.
The Canadian contribution to the International Space Station, the Mobile
Servicing System, is made up of three elements: a next-generation Canadarm
called the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS); a smaller,
detachable two-armed robot, the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator
(SPDM), that can be placed on the end of the SSRMS to perform delicate
operations; and the Mobile Remote Servicer Base System, a movable platform
for the robotic arm and the SPDM, which will slide along rails located on
the Space Station’s main structure to transport the arm to various points on
the Station. In April 2001, CSA Astronaut Chris Hadfield will become the
first Canadian astronaut to perform a space walk when he installs the new
Canadian robotic arm on the International Space Station.
Canada is also contributing the Space Vision System that provides
information on the exact location, orientation and motion of a specific
target, allowing astronauts manipulating the SSRMS to handle its payloads
precisely and safely. The Mobile Servicing System Operations Complex, a
Ground Segment located at CSA headquarters in Saint-Hubert, Quebec completes
Canada’s contribution to the ISS and will be used to plan missions, monitor
the health of the robotic arm, and to train astronauts and cosmonauts.
Established in 1989 and situated in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, the Canadian Space
Agency coordinates all aspects of the Canadian Space Program. Through its
“Space Knowledge, Applications and Industry Development” business line, the
CSA delivers services involving: Earth and the Environment; Space Science;
Human Presence in Space; Satellite Communications; Generic Space
Technologies; Space Qualification Services and Awareness. The Canadian Space
Agency is at the forefront of the development and application of space
knowledge for the benefit of Canadians and humanity.
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For information:
Caroline Lavallée
Senior Communications Officer
Canadian Space Agency
Telephone: (450) 926-4370
caroline.lavallee@space.gc.ca
Marc Garneau STS-97 Mission Website:
