Canadian Astronaut Program : Following the success of the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) developed by the National Research Council (NRC) for the United States' Space Shuttle program, the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) offered to fly a Canadian on board the space shuttle. This led Canada to establish the Canadian Astronaut Program under the control of the NRC in 1983, with the first call for astronauts going out that same year.
After receiving more than 4,000 applications in response, and an extensive selection process, the first class of Canadian astronauts were selected in December; Roberta Bondar, Marc Garneau, Steve MacLean, Ken Money, Bob Thirsk, and Bjarni Tryggvason. The first of the astronauts flew in space less than a year later when Marc Garneau flew to space on board the Space Shuttle Challenger on October 5, 1984.
The failure of the Space Shuttle Challenger on January 28, 1986 and the grounding of the space shuttle fleet meant that it would not be until 1992 when another Canadian Astronaut would fly.
In 1989, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) was formed, and the Canadian Astronaut Program was transferred from the NRC to the newly formed CSA.
1992 was a busy year for the Canadian Astronaut Program, with the announcement that another four astronauts would be recruited, as well as the spaceflights of two more members of the program, and the retirement of two members of the team. On January 22, Roberta Bondar flew on board the Space Shuttle Discovery, followed by Steve MacLean on board Space Shuttle Columbia on October 22. In June, following a rapid selection process which saw more than 5,300 people apply, the second class of Canadian Astronauts were announced; Chris Hadfield, Michael McKay, Julie Payette, and Dave Williams. Also in the summer both Roberta Bondar and Ken Money retired from the Canadian Astronaut program.
Members of the Canadian Astronaut Program continued to fly with additional flights occurring at least once a year between 1995 and 2001. In 1995, Michael McKay resigned from the program, with Marc Garneau moving from the Astronaut Program to the role of Executive Vice-President, followed by President in 2001; he left the CSA in 2005.
In 2008, the CSA began recruiting for another class of Canadian Astronauts. A campaign which saw more than 5,300 people apply. The recruitment campaign lasted until May 2009 when the newest Canadian Astronauts were announced; Jeremy Hansen and David Saint-Jacques. Also in 2008, Steve MacLean was appointed President of the Canadian Space Agency, and Dave Williams retired. In 2012, Bob Thirsk accepted a position with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. In 2013, Steve MacLean, Julie Payette, and Chris Hadfield all retired from the CSA.
In 2016, the fourth astronaut recruitment campaign resulted in more than 3,700 applications. Jenni Sidey-Gibbons and Joshua Kutryk were selected in June 2017, and, after two years of training, were bestowed the official title of astronaut in January 2020.
