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Interview with Julie

1) Julie, what will be your role in the STS-96 mission?

I will be a crew member of the Space Shuttle Discovery. My departure date is May 27, 1999 and it is a 10-day mission. Our main task is to continue putting together the International Space Station. Specifically to carry internal logistics and re-supply cargo for Station outfitting. In plain English this means bringing supplies, parts and equipment to the Sation; it is like furnishing a new home.

2) Could you explain what your personal mission patch represents?

The patch represents human space exploration. For forty years or so, people have been using powerful rockets to fly into space in an attempt to push back the frontiers of knowledge (the stars), to observe and monitor our own planet’s environment (the flower), and to pave the way for the future (the crescent moon). The musical note reminds us that we are human, distinguished by our creativity, our sensitivity and our adaptability. The cat represents the ground crews, friends, colleagues and supporters, whose contribution makes space missions possible. Lastly, there is the Earth, shown without any borders to highlight the international nature of space ventures at the end of the century, a reminder to us all that the Blue Planet is still the only place we know that can sustain human life. It is up to us all to take care of it.

The Canadian patch for STS-96 was produced by Montréal artist Gérard Dansereau.

3) Do you have any concerns about your first mission?

The most critical aspects of the STS-96 mission are:

- Lift-off — we only have a launch window of a few minutes;
- Docking with the Space Station three days later — this will be the first time in history that a crew docks with the International Space Station;
- The transfer and station resupply operation — this involves transferring equipment from the Shuttle to the Station, then storing, checking and installing it; this is the mission’s main objective;
- The space walk — always an extremely risky undertaking, its success this time round is one of my major responsibilities.

Most of our training focuses on these activities and we are working tirelessly to be ready for lift-off.

4) You are a woman with tremendous drive and determination; were there any times when you felt discouraged while training for this mission?

As with any intense activity, there are moments when the amount of work and the enormity of the challenge catch up with us. However, support from our colleagues and those around us always enables us to find the determination and the strength to persevere.

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