Never give up: Joshua Kutryk's story of perseverance

Uploaded on December 9, 2025

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Never give up: Joshua Kutryk's story of perseverance

Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk shares his personal journey filled with setbacks, turndowns, and perseverance. From being denied a scholarship at 15, to being cut from astronaut selection after making the finals, Joshua faced moments of deep disappointment. But he kept going. He studied harder, trained longer, and never gave up on his dream. Whatever your goal is, keep going! (Credits: Canadian Space Agency, Royal Canadian Air Force, Kutryk family)

Space exploration is full of obstacles – and so is life. I’ve faced plenty of them.

I’m Joshua Kutryk, Canadian Space Agency astronaut.

I always dreamed of flying. At 15 I applied for a scholarship to get my glider pilot’s licence. I trained hard for it, studied for weeks… but I didn’t get it.

At the time, I was crushed. But I got back up.

And a few years later, I got selected to attend the Royal Military College, but not as a pilot. I was again extremely disappointed. I studied engineering by day, but I trained as a pilot by night. Eventually, in my final year I had the opportunity to re-apply to the pilot program and this time, I got in. I went on to become a fighter pilot.

Then came astronaut selection. The toughest challenge yet. Tests, interviews, pressure – over an entire year. I tried in 2008–2009, and made the finals… but I was cut.

That one really hurt. I can remember to this day that sense of disappointment. It felt to me like the world had ended. 

But I kept going – I built my career, I earned more degrees. I grew.

In 2016, the Canadian Space Agency opened applications again. I jumped back in – nervous, but determined – and went through the whole process all over again.

And I made it.

Perseverance isn’t about never failing. It is about refusing to stop.

Whatever your goal is – keep on going. You never know how close you are to breaking through.

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