Table of Contents

Mission Overview

The New Great Canadian Frontier

Since Russia launched Sputnik, the Earth's first artificial satellite in 1957, nation after nation has charted new territory for itself in space. In the spring of 2009, Canada will step up to the astronautical plate by combining technological sophistication, cutting-edge scientific research, international collaboration, and the passionate commitment of highly trained astronauts to push this nation towards and beyond a brave new frontier of exploration and scientific discovery.

On May 27, 2009, Canadian astronaut Dr. Robert (Bob) Thirsk will be launched in a Russian Soyuz vehicle from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, to undertake an unprecedented six-month stay on the International Space Station (ISS). Working with NASA (USA), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), and JAXA (Japan), Dr. Thirsk and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) will have the opportunity to demonstrate the foremost advances in Canadian technology, conduct valuable research experiments for national and international scientists, and bring everyday Canadians closer to the experience of space than ever before.

Space Milestones

Expedition 20/21 establishes a series of exciting benchmarks for Canada's space program. Dr. Thirsk will be the first Canadian astronaut to live and work onboard the International Space Station for several months in a row- marking a milestone for Canada's Human Space Program. While previous missions have lasted no more than eighteen days, Dr. Thirsk will live and work in the ISS for six months. In addition, he will be the first Canadian astronaut to travel aboard a Russian Soyuz vehicle.

Internationally, this mission represents a significant leap forward in scientific collaboration aboard the ISS. Originally designed and constructed to house six astronauts, the ISS, to date, has provided residency to a maximum of a three-person crew on a permanent basis. Expedition 20/21, marks for the very first time that the ISS will be realizing its full potential: six astronauts will be living and working together in the world's largest orbiting microgravity scientific laboratory.

Canadian astronaut Bob Thirsk training in a Soyuz Capsule simulator. (Photo: CSA)

As a result, the international six-person crew—consisting of one Canadian, two Americans, two Russians, and one European—will have more time than any astronaut before them to conduct scientific experiments in the unique environment of weightlessness. The science performed on Expedition 20/21 will provide valuable information to scientists around the world, benefiting both the Canadian and international community.

Dr. Robert (Bob) Thirsk: Astronaut, Scientist, Pioneer

During Expedition 20/21, Dr. Thirsk will be assuming many responsibilities. In addition to being appointed Crew Medical Officer, Thirsk will be Mission Specialist for Kibo, the on-board Japanese Experiment Facility. He will also be a robotics specialist, operating Canada's signature contribution to the International Space Station: Canadarm2. Finally, Thirsk's duty to perform scientific experiments and demonstrate new Canadian technologies will lead to advances in knowledge on behalf of the Canadian and international scientific community.

Science Like Never Before

One of the ways in which Expedition 20/21 differs from all previous long-duration missions is the magnitude and scope of science to be undertaken on the ISS. Dr. Thirsk will conduct at least seven Canadian experiments, one of which is in support of a student research project. The results of each study will have important implications for both spaceflight and life on Earth for all Canadians.

In summary:

Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Control on return from the ISS (CCISS)

• CCISS is an ongoing study that investigates the effects of weightlessness on the human body. In particular the experiment examines changes in blood flow and will require Bob Thirsk to monitor his blood pressure, heart rate and other aspects of his cardiovascular system. The results could be applied to elderly people suffering from dizziness and fainting spells, or those afflicted with heart disease caused by a sedentary lifestyle.

Bodies in the Space Environment (BISE)

• BISE will examine what visual and bodily cues astronauts use to determine their perception of up and down in a near-weightless environment. The results will be compared to Earth-based data and could be instrumental in helping people who experience balance and movement control disorders.

Advanced Plant Experiments on Orbit (APEX-Cambium)

• APEX-Cambium looks at the effects of gravity on the type of wood produced by growing trees, which has important implications for all wood product industries.

Binary Colloidal Alloy Test (BCAT-5)

• BCAT-5 will study the physical properties of refined suspension colloidal mixtures without the masking effect of Earth's gravity. The results could lead to improved manufacturing processes—such as extending the life of fabric softeners—and the creation of new materials.

Selectable Optical Diagnostic Instrument (SODI-IVIDIL)

• SODI – IVIDIL investigates various types of diffusion in a near-weightless environment. The potential applications of this study include, among others: oil recovery, materials processing, biological transport, and oceanic flows, all governed by the process of diffusion.

Marangoni Experiment in Space (MEIS-2)

• MEIS-2 exploits the near-weightlessness of the International Space Station to apply surface-driven convection to liquid bridges, without the distorting effects of gravity-based phenomena in the creation of crystals. As liquid bridges are a method to fashion semi-conductor crystals, results of this experiment could have far reaching implications on future design and manufacture of microprocessors and other electronics.

Image Reversal in Space (Iris)

• Iris is an educational experiment developed by students at the International Space University. This experiment will study the effects of microgravity on how people perceive 2D and 3D objects. The experiment and its software was designed by a multidisciplinary group of students, giving them valuable experience as they prepare to launch their own careers in space.

At the Forefront of Canadian Technology

As a Robotics Specialist on Expedition 20/21, Dr. Thirsk is qualified to operate two major robotics systems in the continuing assembly and maintenance of the Station, demonstrating the vanguard of Canadian leadership in robotics and space technology.

Dr. Thirsk will control Canadarm2, a 17 metre-long robotic arm, that can be operated to move with seven degrees of freedom of movement. The use of Canadarm2 and the Mobile Base on which it may ride have been absolutely critical to every ISS assembly and maintenance mission since its installation on the Station. During this Expedition Mission, Dr. Thirsk and his crewmates will perform one of the most difficult tasks. Canadarm2 will be used to carry out its first-ever free-flying capture of an unfastened object in orbit, the Japanese "H-II Transfer Vehicle" (HTV), carrying supplies and provisions for the crew.

This Expedition Mission will also set the stage for the first loaded operation of Dextre as the two-arm robot will perform an ISS maintenance task. Although Dextre will be operated by ground-controllers, Dr. Thirsk and his crewmates will be ready to support Dextre operations.

In addition to robotics operations for ISS maintenance, Dr. Thirsk will conduct a robotics demonstration while on orbit, on behalf of the CSA. Known as Avatar, the demonstration will test key technologies for operating planetary-based robots from orbiting vehicles. From the vantage point of the orbiting Space Station, Dr. Thirsk will control a terrestrial rover navigating the Canadian Space Agency's Mars emulation terrain on Earth. He will conduct navigation experiments and test the rover's autonomy, in a similar way that astronauts in the future orbiting Mars could control a rover placed on the surface of the Red Planet and explore the terrain before landing.

Down to Earth: Connecting Canadians with Space

While Expedition 20/21 takes place on the ISS, and is supported by many people on the ground, this mission is of importance and relevance to all Canadians. As Dr. Thirsk executes his Mission on the ISS, Canadians down on Earth will have opportunities to become more involved in Canada's space program.

Over the course of the extended duration Mission, Canadians may interact with Dr. Thirsk through photos, weekly (live) mission downlinks, and media events; and observe what he is doing by way of podcasts, in-flight vignettes of each experiment, and other innovative multimedia. In addition, Dr. Thirsk will deliver a "Get Fit for Space" challenge to the nation and broadcast a personal message to the Canadian public from the ISS on special occasions.

From an educational perspective, space exploration missions both inspire students, young and old, and motivate them to choose advanced studies and careers in the sciences and engineering. Curriculum-based materials such as CDs, DVDs, and podcasts from orbit involving Mission-related science are available to teachers of all grades at the primary and secondary level. Students between the ages of 9-16 will also be able to increase their knowledge of health and nutrition by participating in a contest asking them to design a menu that meets the nutritional requirements of astronauts on long duration spaceflights. Educational Programs such as "Tomatosphere" teach children about and involve them directly in the scientific process, while initiatives such as IRIS provide students at the university level with the opportunity to directly contribute to Canada's space program, while enhancing their own studies and career prospects.