Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk is preparing to leave Earth today for a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station.
The 44-year-old Canadian is flying aboard SpaceX Crew-13 with two American astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut.
Kutryk will conduct scientific experiments during the mission, including Canadian research examining how the human body adapts to extended periods in microgravity.
His flight also continues Canada’s decades-long participation in the International Space Station program through technology including Canadarm2 and Dextre.
Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly is attending the launch and says Canada is looking to expand space partnerships with Europe, Japan and other countries as the international space sector evolves.
The mission is expected to keep Kutryk aboard the station for approximately six months.
