Astronaut candidate's profile
The candidates participating in the astronaut selection process all have unique journeys and outstanding qualities and skills. You can read their remarkable profiles here.
Janjua, Jameel
Where were you born?
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Where do you currently live?
Edwards Air Force Base, California, USA
Education
- Bachelor's, chemical and materials engineering – Royal Military College of Canada
- Master's, aeronautics and astronautics – Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Master's, flight test engineering – United States Air Force Test Pilot School
Photo of the astronaut candidate during the aptitude tests. (Credit: Canadian Space Agency)
What is your current job?
Experimental Test Pilot, Canadian Armed Forces - Currently, I am serving as an exchange officer to the United States Air Force, where I conduct flight tests on the F-16 fighter jet at Edwards Air Force Base. My role involves leading a diverse team of test professionals through test planning, safety planning, and execution of various programs on the F-16 aircraft. The projects that I work on include enhanced flight controls, automatic collision avoidance, and the integration and testing of advanced weapons. Being a part of our life-saving work on automatic collision avoidance is truly meaningful for me.
Why do you want to become an astronaut?
There are many reasons why I would love to be an astronaut. I would like to be able to reach out to Canadians and help inspire their interest in human exploration and research. I firmly believe in space exploration and what it means for humanity. Mentoring Canadian youth to help them find a STEM-related path excites me. I would also love the professional and personal challenges that would come with being a CSA astronaut. I am a lifelong learner and always welcome challenges. I look forward to putting into practice aspects of being an astronaut that I don't have a formal background in, like robotics and medical research. Space exploration is a human imperative, and being part of that on behalf of Canada would be an honour.