Canada’s next astronaut, Colonel Joshua Kutryk, is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday for a six-month mission, marking another significant milestone in the country’s ongoing collaboration with NASA. The mission, set to lift off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 11:10 a.m. Eastern Time, will see Kutryk join crew members Jessica Watkins, Luke Delaney of the United States, and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov.
Officials indicated a 55 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for the launch, which was originally planned for mid-September but delayed due to an engineering review prompted by an oxidizer leak. The issue led to the replacement of a valve on the rocket, a complex repair given the vehicle’s vertical positioning. Kutryk described the problem as minor but expressed confidence that the delay ultimately enhanced the mission’s safety.
A native of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Col. Kutryk was selected by the Canadian Space Agency in 2017 and has served as an air force pilot. His forthcoming six-month stay aboard the ISS will involve conducting scientific experiments and supporting the operation and maintenance of the station. The crew is expected to dock with the ISS approximately eight hours after launch.
During a pre-launch news conference, Kutryk emphasized his enthusiasm for representing Canada in space and highlighted the value of international partnerships that facilitate Canada’s involvement in human spaceflight. His mission follows notable Canadian achievements this year, including astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s participation in the Artemis II mission, which circled the Moon.
Kutryk is set to become the fourth Canadian to undertake a long-duration mission in space, joining the ranks of Chris Hadfield, David Saint-Jacques, and Robert Thirsk. Unlike his predecessors, who were launched onboard Soyuz capsules from Kazakhstan, Kutryk will travel aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, marking Canada’s integration into newer space transportation initiatives. This flight, designated Crew-13, represents the 13th operational mission under this program involving commercial partners ferrying astronauts to and from the ISS.
Retired astronaut and physician Robert Thirsk, the first Canadian to complete an extended mission aboard the ISS, compared the experience to a “Tour de France,” emphasizing that the physical and psychological demands require sustained energy and adaptability over many months. Thirsk expressed confidence in Kutryk’s preparation and resilience for the mission’s challenges.
Another unique aspect of Col. Kutryk’s mission is his personal circumstances; he and his wife Heather are expecting their third child during his time in orbit. The Canadian Space Agency has arranged enhanced communication capabilities and dedicated support for Kutryk and his family to help maintain connections throughout the mission.
As Col. Kutryk prepares for launch, Canada’s presence in human space exploration continues to grow, underscoring the country’s role in international scientific and technological endeavors in space.