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Canada made history on Friday, when Canadian astronauts Julie Payette and Robert Thirsk met up at the International Space Station.
Payette launched aboard the shuttle Endeavour from the Kennedy Space Station in Florida on Monday, and had been waiting in orbit to meet up with the ISS. At 1:55 p.m. on Friday, the shuttle was set to perform a backflip, so that astronauts in the station could inspect the bottom of the shuttle for damage. Then Endeavour would dock, breaking more than just one record.
The docking of Endeavour also marks the first time in history more than 10 people would be in space together. With seven members joining the six already aboard the space station.
Payette’s 16 day journey to the ISS is her second trip into space. She is only the second Canadian woman to reach space. On her first mission, Payette helped install the lights of the newly constructed space station. Her mission was the second one to the space station. Payette said in an interview before the launch that she was excited to return to the space station when everything is working and people are actually utilizing it.
She sounds like a pretty cool lady, not only because she is a woman, in space, but she is a Canadian that has accomplished so many things including a master’s degree in engineering, and 14 honorary doctorates. (I don’t even have one honorary doctorate, I would like to point out, but I’m open for nominations) Payette also seems modest and cheerful. Photos released from the shuttle show her with the biggest grin on her face, she clearly is a woman in love with her job and opportunities.
During the 10 year gap between her space flights, Payette has worked in Russia on equipment to be fitted to the ISS and as the voice of Houston to astronauts. She also helped prep other missions into space and was the voice of the astronaut training simulator.
In a recent interview in the lead up to her mission, Payette speaks of the future with such excitement. She sees a future where the human race will be able to head to another planet – within her lifetime.
The International Space Station can be seen from earth with the naked eye. I discovered a chart on the NASA website, where you can calculate the exact time the space station will soar over your town. On Friday, July 24, look way up at 11:21 p.m., and at about 25 seconds into the minute, you may be able to spot the space station to give Julie and Robert a wave.
