Canada Marks Space Milestone as two Canadians meet in space for the first time (Forwarded)

Canadian Space Agency
Longueuil, Quebec

July 17, 2009

Canada Marks Space Milestone as two Canadians meet in space for the first
time

Today, space shuttle Endeavour docked to the International Space Station
(ISS) at 1:47 p.m. EDT, as they floated in tandem about 400 km above Earth.
About two hours later at 3:48 p.m. EDT, the hatch between the two
spacecrafts was opened and the first six permanent ISS residents welcomed
aboard the crew of mission STS-127. Canadian astronaut Robert Thirsk, who
launched to the Station on May 27th aboard a Soyuz rocket, greeted fellow
Canadian astronaut Julie Payette to his orbital home.

"Twenty-five years ago, the first Canadian flew into space and today, Canada
continues to be a leader in space exploration," said the Honourable Tony
Clement, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canadian
Space Agency (CSA). "Having two Canadian astronauts in space at the same
time is truly a Canadian space milestone."

"We are entering a new era in space exploration and all Canadians are
proud," said Steve MacLean, President of the Canadian Space Agency. "All
across our nation, young Canadians are looking to our astronauts working
together on the International Space Station, and seeing that if they work
and study hard, they too, like the two new astronaut recruits, may one day,
reach for their dreams."

Canadian astronauts have a proud record of space flight. Julie Payette is
participating in the 15th space mission for a Canadian over the past 16
years, seven of these missions being to the International Space Station.

During the docking, from the spacecrafts cockpit, Payette assisted Commander
Mark Polansky and pilot Douglas Hurley in the delicate manoeuvres required
to dock space shuttle Endeavour to the ISS.

Space shuttle Endeavour will remain docked to the ISS until July 31. During
this time, the crew will install a platform onto the Japanese Laboratory
Kibo, swap batteries, load other cargo, and perform five spacewalks. Payette
will be at the controls of Canadarm, Canadarm2 and the Japanese robotic arm
supporting this intensely robotic assembly mission.

On July 19, Canadian astronauts Robert Thirsk and Julie Payette will take
part in a live downlink with Canada. For details on the mission, visit our
website at: http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/mission...27/default.asp.

- 30 -

For more information:

Media Relations
(450) 926-4370
www.asc-csa.gc.ca