Chris Hadfield is a Canadian astronaut, engineer, and retired Air Force Colonel who is known for his accomplishments in space exploration. He is best known for being the first Canadian to walk in space and for his command of the International Space Station (ISS).
Hadfield was born in Sarnia, Ontario, in 1959. He was inspired to pursue a space career after watching the Apollo 11 mission as a young boy. He graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in 1982 with a degree in mechanical engineering, and went on to join the Canadian Armed Forces. After completing a series of flying courses, he was selected to serve as a test pilot and flew numerous aircrafts, including the CF-18 Hornet and the Challenger.
In 1992, Hadfield was selected to become an astronaut. He completed two space shuttle missions, STS-74 in 1995 and STS-100 in 2001. During his second mission, he performed two spacewalks and became the first Canadian to walk in space. Following this, he was appointed the Chief of the Astronaut Office and continued in this role until 2006.
In 2013, Hadfield was selected as the commander of the ISS and became the first Canadian to take command of a space station. During the mission, he became known for his educational videos and photographs, which were shared on social media. He also released a cover of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” while in orbit, which became an instant hit and reached millions of views.
Following his mission, Hadfield retired from the Canadian Space Agency in 2013 and has since pursued a career in public speaking and writing. He has also written several books, including An Astronaut’s Guide to Life and You Are Here.
In recognition of his accomplishments, Hadfield has been awarded several honors including the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario, and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. He has also been inducted into the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame and the International Space Hall of Fame.
Chris Hadfield is an inspirational figure in the world of space exploration and continues to be a role model for aspiring astronauts and engineers. He has achieved several milestones in his career and will remain a symbol of Canadian excellence for generations to come.
