Canadian Astronaut Steve MacLean Gets a Ride on STS-115

The Canadian Space Agency announced today that Steve Maclean will fly as a
Mission Specialist on STS-115 which will visit the International Space
Station in 2003.

“Today, Canada continues its innovation and leadership in space sciences and I congratulate Steve MacLean for being Canada’s representative on this future space mission,” said Minister Allan Rock. “The International Space Station is a beacon for excellence and a unique laboratory where astronauts and scientists from all over the world cooperate for the good of humanity.”

This will be MacLean’s second trip into space. In 1992 he flew onboard Space Shuttle Columbia as a Payload Specialist for Mission STS-52. During this mission, he performed a set of seven experiments known as CANEX-2, which included the evaluation of the Space Vision System.

“It is a privilege and an honour to take part in such a complex mission. I am particularly pleased with the opportunity to go outside the station on two spacewalks.” Maclean noted that this possibility did not exist when he made his first space flight in 1992. “In addition, being the first Canadian to operate Canadarm2 and its Mobile Base will certainly be an emotional moment for me.”

MacLean has recently been serving as a CAPCOM (Capsule Communicator) for both the International Space Station (ISS) Program and the Shuttle Program, at the Johnson Space Center.

The last Canadian astronaut in space was Chris Hadfield in April, 2001.

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