SHUTTLE COLUMBIA: DISASTER IN THE SKIES YV Introduction

Most of us have come to take manned path. As they reassemble the shuttle, Focus space flight for granted. We were they hope to locate any areas where The subject of this hardly aware that there was a shuttle shield failure might have begun. The News in Review module is the mission taking place until we heard the flight data recorder has also been recov- destruction of the terrible news that Columbia and its ered, and it is being studied for any crew had been lost on re-entry. The evidence it might provide. Columbia as it re- shuttle burned up in the atmosphere The investigation is also looking at entered Earth’s over Texas, returning to Earth as thou- NASA’s safety procedures. Some atmosphere on sands of pieces of debris. Shuttle flights commentators argue that budget cuts to February 1, 2003. It explores possible had become routine. It was only after the shuttle program have affected safety reasons for the the accident that we came to know the programs, and that too little attention shuttle’s failure and extraordinary individuals who had lost has been paid to potential safety prob- the impact of that their lives in what we could, once again, lems in an ageing fleet of shuttle aircraft. failure on the appreciate as one of the dangerous Meanwhile, the U.S. manned space future of manned space flight. It also of scientific and exploratory activities. program is on hold, with potentially looks at the quali- The investigation to determine ex- devastating effects for some important ties that lead an actly what went wrong began immedi- international research. The shuttle is the individual to be- ately. Early speculation that failure of only vehicle large enough to carry come an astronaut, part of the heat shield on the left wing many of the necessary construction and the lives of those who died on of the shuttle was responsible for the materials for the International Space Columbia. Finally, it accident has developed into the likeliest Station. The station will continue to be looks at ’s theory. However, which part of the staffed by astronauts carried on Russian role in space, both shield and why it failed remains un- rockets, but planned expansion its history and plans clear. NASA does know that either will not take place until the shuttle flies for the future. foam or ice from a booster rocket struck again. Canada’s space program is one the shuttle shortly after take-off. Yet of those affected. Most of Canada’s most of its engineers discounted the aerospace industry relies on technology YV Sections potential for damage from this incident. other than the shuttle. However, two marked with this Researchers have collected, and are missions that were to include Canadian symbol indicate content suitable for continuing to find, pieces of the shuttle astronauts have been delayed by the younger viewers. from the ground below its final flight accident.

Discussion Some commentators argue that the risks and expense of manned space flight are too great. They believe that our technology is now so sophisti- cated that we can accomplish all our scientific goals in space by sending unmanned probes rather than humans. Do you think there will always be a place for manned space exploration? Has what we have accomplished so far been worth the risks? Explain.

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 19 SHUTTLE COLUMBIA: DISASTER IN THE SKIES YV Video Review

1. How many astronauts were lost in the Columbia disaster? The questions on this and the next page should be 2. Why was Ilan Ramon such as hero to Israel? answered as you watch the video.

Further Research 3. What were the audible and visible signs to observers on the ground NASA’s (National that something had gone wrong? Aeronautics and Space Agency) official Web site for the Columbia disaster is at www..gov/ columbia/home/ index.html. An 4. How long had it been since the first shuttle accident, with Challenger? excellent and moving tribute video to Columbia 5. What are the two most dangerous parts of a mission to space? and its crew is available at www.ksc.nasa.gov/ columbia/ memvideo.htm. 6. What caused the 1986 Challenger explosion?

7. Which country had previously lost astronauts during re-entry?

8. What were the first indications to NASA that a problem might be developing on Columbia?

9. What incident at lift-off might have damaged the protective tiles on Columbia’s left wing?

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 20 10. Could anything have been done to repair Columbia if damage had Did you know . . . been identified before re-entry? Why or why not? Columbia was the first shuttle built and had flown 28 missions? The remaining shuttles are named Discov- ery (30 missions), Atlantis (26 mis- sions), and Endeav- our (19 missions). 11. Author Diane Vaughan investigated the Challenger disaster. What does she say that scientists and engineers on test ranges estimated as the probability of failure for a shuttle mission?

12. What does she say was the estimate by top administrators?

13. What reason does scientist John Logsdon give as the main reason why the shuttle safety budget was reduced by a large amount?

14. What two major problems with the shuttle program did NASA’s advi- sory committee identify in its recent report?

i) ______

ii) ______

15. How soon might another shuttle be launched?

16. How many shuttles remain in NASA’s fleet?

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 21 SHUTTLE COLUMBIA: DISASTER IN THE SKIES YV The Right Stuff

Activity In 1979 author Tom Wolfe published a The following is a brief biographical summary of each of the Columbia book about some astronauts who lost their lives at the end of the STS-107 mission. As you of the test pilots read through these summaries, identify those characteristics and accomplish- who took their ments that you feel demonstrate that they had “the right stuff.” List the planes to the most common and most outstanding ones in your notes. Compare your list threshold of space, with those of other class members. and the early U.S. astronauts who ultimately took Mission Commander Rick Hus- him on the mission, Ramon took a part in some of the band, 45 conjectural drawing of the Earth as seen first space flights. This was the second shuttle mission from the moon. It had been made by a Wolfe’s book was for Husband. He became interested in 16-year-old Jewish boy shortly before titled The Right aerospace as early as age four, during his death at Auschwitz, the infamous Stuff. This term has now become part the Mercury missions. He received his Nazi death camp, during the Holocaust. of the language to pilot’s licence while in high school, Ramon was a real hero to Israelis, who describe the talents joined the Air Force and obtained a deeply mourn his loss. and characteristics master’s degree in engineering. He that are part of had experience flying more than 40 Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla, every astronaut’s types of aircraft and had accumulated 41 makeup. more than 3800 hours of flight time. Chawla was born in Karnal, India. She Husband applied four times before he made her first flight with her father in a was accepted into astronaut training. glider at age 8, and was the first woman After being appointed commander of in the aerospace engineering depart- this mission, he immediately booked ment at Punjab Engineering College. his entire crew on an 11-day survival She graduated at the top of her class. trip as a bonding experience. He was a She moved to the U.S. to obtain her devout Christian, married with two master’s and Ph.D. degrees, and be- children. came a citizen. She first flew in space on a 1997 mission, where she was the Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon, 48 chief robotic arm operator. On this Ramon was a much-decorated Israeli mission she supervised experiments in fighter pilot who had flown a number Earth sciences, physics, and life sci- of dangerous combat missions. He was ences. She remained closely connected a popular choice as Israel’s first astro- to her first school in India, where she naut, even with the hundreds of other was a real hero to many young girls. Israeli Air Force members he beat out for the job. Ramon trained four and a Mission Specialist Laurel Clark, 41 half years for the mission. His job Clark was one of two physicians who consisted mostly of photographing took part in the Columbia mission. She dust from the Sahara Desert blowing helped conduct 80 scientific experi- across the Middle East, part of a study ments. She was responsible for medical on how dust affects rainfall in the area. and biological research, and was espe- Allowed to bring a personal item with cially interested in studying bone

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 22 density. She was an accomplished astronomy at the University of Wash- Further Research scuba diver, parachutist, and biker. ington; a member of the ROTC pro- Additional informa- Clark joined the Reserve Officers gram, he accepted an Air Force com- tion about the crew of Columbia shuttle Training Corps (ROTC) to help pay for mission when he graduated. Though mission STS-107 is medical school, then became a naval first a computer specialist, he went on available at NASA’s diving medical officer before training as to flight school and became a pilot. Crew Memorial a flight surgeon. She was married and Anderson flew on a 1998 mission to the site: had one son. Russian Mir space station, where he spaceflight.nasa.gov/ was extremely impressed with the shuttle/memorial/. Also available at Pilot William McCool, 41 Russians’ refusal to let the station die. this site are related McCool’s father flew for the Navy and On the Columbia mission he served links, and video the Marines. It seemed natural that essentially as science officer, respon- streaming from William should attend the U.S. Naval sible for most of the experiments. four memorial Academy, where he graduated second services held shortly after the shuttle in his class with a degree in applied Mission Specialist David Brown, 46 disaster. science. He obtained a master’s degree Brown spent most of his undergraduate in computer science but went on to years trying to decide what he really become a naval aviator, obtaining a wanted to do and tried a number of second master’s in aeronautical engi- different academic areas. What he neering. He continued his training at the really enjoyed was the gymnastics team Navy’s school for test pilots. He was and the summer job in the circus that designated the outstanding student in his skills permitted him. He settled on a his group. McCool had 2800 hours of career as a physician, taking flying flight time. He was selected as an lessons alongside his medical training. astronaut in 1996, and this was his first Halfway through his residency, Brown flight. He left a wife and three children. joined the Navy to become a flight surgeon. While serving on an aircraft Payload Commander Michael carrier he was selected for flight school, Anderson, 43 where he finished at the top of his class. Anderson was one of six active Afri- NASA repeatedly turned down his can-American astronauts. He recalled applications to the astronaut program being fascinated at age nine by the but finally accepted him in 1996. Co- Apollo missions to the moon, and grew lumbia was his first mission, and he up a real fan of programs like Star Trek. appointed himself mission archivist, As early as high school he wanted to be keeping a film record of most of the an astronaut. He studied physics and crew’s activities.

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 23 SHUTTLE COLUMBIA: DISASTER IN THE SKIES What Went Wrong?

From the beginning, excessive tempera- ing foam or ice from the external fuel Definition ture was considered the most obvious tank falling off and striking the shuttle carrier panel: a culprit. Trouble was first noticed as a as it lifted into the sky. This event was panel designed to fill the gap be- sharp temperature spike on the left side noted immediately after lift-off. Offi- tween the leading of the shuttle. Both the onboard crew cials soon discounted it as creating any edge of the wing and the ground crew lost temperature future problems for the mission. Recent (which is made up measurements for the left hydraulic computer enhancements, however, have of reinforced system, followed by the loss of three shown exactly where the foam struck carbon-carbon temperature readings on the left side of the left-side wing. Sadly, it was on the pieces) and the insulating silicon- the wing. Just before those on the underside, between the leading edge based tiles that ground lost contact with the shuttle, and the main landing gear well— cover most of the eight temperature sensors for the left precisely the location from where a wing’s surface. inboard and outboard tires went down. carrier panel might have come free. At the same time, onboard computers One of the pieces of the shuttle that were adjusting for what seemed to be survived in remarkably good condition significant drag on the left side of the was the flight recorder. Its information shuttle. In fact, the flight-control system is being carefully studied by investiga- was making steering adjustments that tors. It has shown temperatures at re- were more extreme than any previously entry rising sharply behind the leading seen by mission control during a shuttle edge of the left wing, near the carrier re-entry. panels and where the debris struck. Investigators now suspect that the hot Investigators also note that no carrier gases surrounding the shuttle as it panels from that area have been located roared back to Earth at nearly 27 000 in the search for debris following the kilometres per hour had somehow crash. The piece that separated from the breached the left wing. Nevertheless, shuttle would have burned up in its they are far from certain about what separate re-entry into the atmosphere. damage or event would permit such a Laboratory testing has also demon- breach to take place. strated that the surface area of a carrier As of the beginning of April, a num- panel is great enough to permit the ber of theories were under investiga- entry of a superheated gas plume that tion. One of these was that a carrier would eat into the structure of a wing. panel had come off the left wing after Another theory is that the reinforced the space shuttle had reached its orbit. carbon-carbon (RCC) pieces on the Air Force radar had actually spotted leading edge of the wing might them- debris floating away from the shuttle on selves be at fault. As these pieces age the day after launch. Recent tests seem they develop pinholes that might lead to to indicate that only a carrier panel dangerous oxidation at the temperatures matches the radar signature of the the shuttle reaches upon re-entry— object that floated off. temperatures that can rise as high as There is other evidence pointing to 1600 degrees Celsius. Columbia, this panel as the culprit. Launch photo- though it had completed only one graphs showed a chunk of soft insulat- quarter of the missions it was designed

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 24 to fly, was the oldest of the shuttles, and shuttle or other spacecraft they might Did you know . . . possibly subject to more of this pinhole hit. In addition there are tens of millions NASA uses the damage. of smaller pieces that are also potential letters LOCV to denote a cata- NASA has been aware of the pinhole sources of damage. strophic accident? problem for some years. It repairs them NASA itself discounts age as a factor LOCV stands for when they are as large as one millimetre in the loss of Columbia, pointing to the Loss of Crew and by filling them with a sealant. Some efforts they make to keep all the Vehicle. scientists speculate that the pinholes shuttles in excellent condition, espe- might weaken the RCC enough that it cially since the loss of Challenger in would break when struck by debris. 1986. NASA has always kept track of Tests will soon be conducted where “in-flight anomalies” (IFAs) for all its simulated foam and ice are fired at shuttle missions, which are major or different pieces from the shuttle’s heat minor problems that it corrects before shield to see how they respond. future space flights. Recent flights have Scientists also point to damage that shown few of any such anomalies. A might be caused by some of the space senior aviation source quoted by U.S. debris from previous space flights. Over News and World Report said that Co- 9000 items larger than 10 centimetres lumbia did not have a single IFA during are whirling around the Earth at 27 000 its final flight until re-entry. Then kilometres per hour, a real threat to any “everything went to hell.”

Discussion Investigators often find it impossible to pinpoint a single cause for airplane crashes. The recent report of the inquiry into the Swissair crash off Peggy’s Cove is an example. It also seems likely that a “100 per cent certain” answer to the question of what caused the shuttle disaster may prove elusive for investigators, and only “probable cause” may be found. What effect do you feel this will have on the future of shuttle flights? How might it affect the development of different kinds of manned and unmanned space flights?

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 25 SHUTTLE COLUMBIA: DISASTER IN THE SKIES YV Canada and Space

Canada has a proud history in space Canada will be a leading partner in the Further Research (see the following section, “Triumph design and construction of many of Much additional and Tragedy,” for some of the high- these. Its premier satellite, the F- information on the Canadian space lights). The series, is considered to be the most program and the (CSA), which administers Canada’s powerful communications satellite work of the Cana- space program, continues to offer currently available. The Anik F2, sched- dian Space Agency exciting plans for Canada’s future in uled for launch in October 2003 will is available from space research and exploration. The provide multimedia services across the CSA at CSA’s “Report on Plans and Priorities” North America to a variety of private www.space.gc.ca. for 2003-2004 provides four main and government clients. reasons for Canada’s aerospace activity: 1. It helps us to monitor our land mass Earth and Environmental and territorial waters. Sciences 2. It helps us to manage our natural The CSA is planning the launch of a resources. new satellite, RADARSAT-2, to take place in March 2004. RADARSAT-2 3. It helps to link Canadians together will provide especially high-quality through communication satellite images to scientists, with resolution technology. down to three metres, and will be able 4. It offers opportunities and jobs to an to access an area of 800 kilometres on educated population in a knowledge- either side of its track. based economy. Canadians in the space industry have paid special attention to the study of The CSA has identified several areas ozone depletion and the effects of the in which it is especially interested and increase in atmospheric greenhouse successful in space research and devel- gases. They have also been involved in opment. Here are some of the main programs that monitor the sustainable ones: development of Canadian forests and offshore marine environments. Also Satellite Communications important is a series of programs, This is the most important area in which attempting to predict, manage, and Canada’s space program invests its time assess natural disasters. and money. Canada uses satellite tech- nology to link Canadians together and to Canadian Space Station provide such services as tele-medicine Program for remote regions and long-distance Canada’s unique robotic development, education. It has also become a global the (MSS), is leader in satellite communications and critical to the building, servicing, and partners with many other space agencies maintenance of the International Space world-wide. Station, currently under construction. According to the CSA, between 270 The MSS consists of its most famous and 350 communications satellites will component, Canadarm2, and of a be launched world-wide by 2007.

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 26 mobile base to support the arm. Canada president of the CSA) became the first Because the explo- will also be providing an additional Canadian in space, aboard the shuttle ration of space knows no national element, the SPDM, or Special Purpose Challenger. Garneau flew into space on boundaries, the loss Dextrous Manipulator. This attaches to two more missions, in 1996 and 2000. of the Columbia is Canadarm2, and is designed to manipu- During the latter flight, he became the a loss to all man- late delicate objects. first Canadian to enter the crew section kind.” — U.N. In addition to providing the actual of the International Space Station (ISS). Secretary-General equipment, the CSA is responsible for In 1992, became the Kofi Annan, To- ronto Star, Febru- training all astronauts and cosmonauts first Canadian woman to fly on a shuttle ary 2, 2003 who will use the MSS, and for provid- mission. Later that year, Steve ing the mission controllers who will MacLean, who is scheduled to make a support the MSS from the ground. trip into space to the ISS as Canadarm2 Canada’s reward for its contribution is operator when shuttle flights resume, laboratory space on the shuttle and time took part in a series of experiments in the space station for some of its aboard Columbia. astronauts. Other Canadian astronauts included The development of and , (1995, the first Cana- the MSS has made Canada and the dian aboard the Russian Mir space Canadian Space Agency a world leader station) and (2001, the first Canadian to in robotics. It hopes to develop more space walk); Bob Thirsk (1996, a life advanced technologies in related areas, and microgravity mission); Bjarni while assuming increased responsibility Tryggvason (1997, investigating a for operations involving the MSS. microgravity isolation device to isolate delicate experiments from vibrations Canada’s Astronauts from the shuttle); and Dave Williams Canada has already sent six men and (1998, another life and microgravity two women into space as part of the mission). In 1999, became shuttle program, including three on the second Canadian woman on the previous Columbia missions. The shuttle, as part of a supply mission for Canadian astronaut program began in the construction of the ISS. 1983, and in 1984 (now

To Consider You have read why the Canadian Space Agency believes aerospace is impor- tant to Canadians, and reviewed some of the areas of research and develop- ment in which it is especially interested. How important do you think the Canadian Astronaut Program is for the future of Canada’s role in aerospace? Explain carefully in a well-written series of two or three paragraphs.

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 27 SHUTTLE COLUMBIA: DISASTER IN THE SKIES YV Triumph and Tragedy

Since the Union of Soviet Socialist 1967 In January, three U.S. astronauts Further Research Republics (U.S.S.R.) launched the first are killed in a fire during a ground test An exhaustive list satellite in 1957, the history of space of their command module. In April, a of “Canadian Space Milestones,” going flight—manned and unmanned—has Soviet cosmonaut is killed when his back to 1839, is been one of repeated successes punctu- capsule crashes as it returns to Earth. available on the ated by occasional disasters, including Canadian Space the recent failure of the shuttle Colum- 1968 The U.S. spacecraft Apollo 8 Agency Web site at bia during re-entry. Here is a timeline completes the first manned orbit of the www.space.gc.ca/ of some of the major events, including moon. asc/eng/about/ csa_organization/ some Canadian highlights. July 20, 1969 Neil Armstrong and csm_complete.asp. Buzz Aldrin of Apollo 11 become the Timeline first people to walk on the moon. 1957 The U.S.S.R. successfully Through to 1972, five additional moon launches the first orbiting satellite, landings take place. Sputnik 1. The “space race” with the 1971 The U.S.S.R. launches Salyut, U.S. has begun. the first manned orbiting space laboratory. October 1960 Ninety-one people die June 29, 1971 Three Soviet cosmo- in Kazahstan in the U.S.S.R. when a nauts are killed as their capsule re- rocket explodes at the Baikonur Space enters the atmosphere. Centre. November 9, 1972 Canada’s Anik-1 1961 In April, Yuri Gagarin of the is launched and becomes the world’s U.S.S.R. becomes the first person in first geostationary satellite devoted to space, actually orbiting the Earth before domestic communications. This is returning to land. Alan Shepard be- followed by Anik-2 and Anik-3 in 1973 comes the first American in space in and 1975. May, although his flight is suborbital. In August, another Soviet becomes the March 18, 1980 Fifty Russian first human to remain in space for over technicians die when a booster rocket 24 hours—an accomplishment the U.S. explodes while being refuelled. This is will not equal until May 1963. not reported until 1989. September 29, 1962 Alouette-1, April 12-14, 1981 Columbia com- the first Canadian satellite, is launched pletes the first successful shuttle mis- aboard an American rocket. sion: 54 hours in space. 1963 Cosmonaut Valentina September 9, 1982 Canada and the Tereshkova becomes the first woman in U.S. announce a program to send the space. first Canadian into space as part of a 1965 In March, a cosmonaut takes the shuttle mission. first space walk, followed in June by a June 22,1983 The Canadarm is first U.S. astronaut. used on a space shuttle mission for satellite deployment.

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 28 October 1984 Marc Garneau be- November 20, 1998 The first comes Canada’s first astronaut in space. element of the International Space Seven other Canadians would follow, Station is launched. including Canada’s first woman astro- May 29, 1999 Discovery is the first naut, Roberta Bondar, in 1992 (see shuttle to dock with the International “Canada’s Astronauts” in the previous Space Station. section of this guide for further infor- mation). November 2, 2000 An American and Russian crew begin living in the January 28, 1986 Challenger International Space Station. explodes shortly after launch, killing seven astronauts. April 2001 Canadarm2 is installed on the International Space Station. The 1986 The U.S.S.R. launches the Mir “Canadarm Handshake” occurs on space station, the first laboratory de- April 28, as Canadarm2 hands its signed to be staffed continuously for packing crate to the Canadarm aboard several years. the shuttle Endeavour. This is the most 1989 The Canadian Space Agency is complicated robotic maneuver ever established. Its mandate, from the attempted in space. legislation establishing it, is: “To pro- June 2002 Endeavour brings the mote the peaceful use and development Mobile Base System to the International of space, to advance the knowledge of Space Station, completing the Canadian space through science, and to ensure Mobile Servicing System (MSS), which that space science and technology will allow Canadarm2 to travel around provide social and economic benefits the station to various work sites. for Canadians.” February 1, 2003 Columbia is 1993 The U.S. and Russia agree to destroyed during re-entry as it passes work together in the design and con- over Texas. struction of the International Space Station. In December, a shuttle crew repairs the defective Hubble telescope.

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 29 SHUTTLE COLUMBIA: DISASTER IN THE SKIES YV New Explorers Wanted

While the investigation of the Columbia interested in areas outside their scien- Further Research disaster will delay some of the projects tific specialties (sports, music, and For an excellent planned for space exploration, there is family life are examples), but “share the overview of the wide range of little doubt that manned space flight goal of working in space.” careers available in will continue. As early as April 6, 2003, Here is the agency’s advice on how to aerospace in a Russian Soyuz rocket will take a new maximize one’s chances of being Canada, download crew of two to the International Space selected for the astronaut program: the document Station, to ensure that the semi-built • earn at least one advanced degree in Careers in Space: facility continues in operation. U.S. The Leading Edge, science or engineering President Bush has promised that available from the • become proficient in more than one Canadian Space shuttle flights will continue. NASA is discipline Agency at beginning to make plans for its return to www.space.gc.ca/ space using the three remaining • become a good public speaker, prefer- asc/pdf/educator- shuttles. Two of Canada’s astronauts— ably in both official languages careers_space.pdf. Steve MacLean and Dave Williams— • demonstrate concern for others by are scheduled to participate in future taking part in community activities If you are really missions to help complete work on the • maintain your physical fitness serious about International Space Station. • acquire a background of knowledge in pursuing a career The Canadian Space Agency ac- aerospace topics as an astronaut, knowledges that astronaut is certainly • obtain experience as a pilot, parachute obtain the Astro- the most glamorous of occupations in naut Career jumper, and scuba diver the space industry and provides on its Model—Briefing • consider working for an aerospace Book at Web site information on the qualifica- www.space.gc.ca/ tions and characteristics that make for company during school breaks in asc/eng/csa_sectors/ good candidates for the profession (see order to get hands-on experience human_pre/cao/ www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/csa_sectors/ career/career.asp. human_pre/cao/faq.asp). Their first bit Finally, the agency recommends of advice, however, is that one’s courses in the arts, humanities, and chances of being selected are slim. social sciences to ensure that, as you are CSA describes the ideal candidate for ultimately likely to assume an upper- the astronaut program as a pilot, doctor, management role at CSA (Marc physicist, or engineer who is “dedicated Garneau, Canada’s first astronaut, is to expanding our scientific knowledge now president), you will need “a good to help improve quality of life on Earth perception of the thinking of politicians and in space.” Candidates will have and the needs of the public.” different backgrounds, but will be

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 30 Applying for the Job Further Research While you may not yourself be ready to apply for a place in Canada’s astro- Biographies of naut program, you should be able to recognize those qualifications in others most of those that made them likely candidates for the positions. Canadians who made it into the Your task is to analyze the background of one of the successful candidates program are avail- able on the CSA for the position of astronaut, using either a biography of one of the shuttle Web site. These are Columbia astronauts (see “The Right Stuff” page 22), or of one of the Cana- most easily dian astronauts already in the program. Compare the information given in accessed through their biographies with the advice given by the CSA on maximizing one’s its index at chances for selection for the program. Chose five of those qualifications www.space.gc.ca/ that you feel would best convince the agency that your candidate is the asc/eng/index.asp. person for the job. Longer biographies of the Columbia Once you have made your list, prepare a short (one-page) letter of recom- astronauts may be mendation for your candidate, giving those reasons why you believe the found at Canadian Space Agency should offer him or her a position. You may address www.cincinow.com/ your letter to: specials/2003/ shuttle/stories/ Dr. Marc Garneau, President bios.html and at www.space.com/ Canadian Space Agency missionlaunches/ John H. Chapman Space Centre sts107_bios.html, 6767 route de l’Aéroport and at many other Saint-Hubert, Quebec J3Y 8Y9 Web sites.

CBC News in Review • April 2003 • Page 31