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The next Canadian astronaut to head to the International Space Station (ISS) captivated some 500 staff, students and alumni during Taking Flight, a special public event at the University of Ģ����ý featuring (CSA) astronaut .

Hosted by the , the May 25 event offered a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of Canada’s four active astronauts as he prepares for an upcoming mission to the ISS. Launching no earlier than September, Kutryk will travel aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon on a Falcon 9 rocket as part of an international crew under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

Kutryk reflected on his journey to becoming an astronaut, tracing his early interest in aviation through to his selection by the CSA in 2017.

The conversation highlighted both the path into the space sector and the realities of working in orbit.

“Our first job is taking care of the space station — operating it, maintaining it and fixing it in all its capacities,” Kutryk said. “That’s why we’ve been training for so many years to do it, but the second part of the job is the science.”

During his six-month mission, Kutryk will conduct research on behalf of teams from Canada and around the world. Many of these experiments rely on the unique microgravity environment of the ISS and are tied to real-world challenges, including medicine, aging and human health.

He also emphasized the broader impact of space exploration.

“Space is about opportunity and changing the world we live in. And space research is changing it a lot faster than most people realize,” Kutryk told the 500 people who attended online and in person.

Kutryk pointed to the uniquely unifying nature of space missions, where international collaboration is essential.

Adding a personal note, Kutryk, who was born in Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., said he plans to bring a piece of home with him into orbit — an Edmonton Oilers jersey, drawing a murmur from the Ģ����ý crowd.

Collaboration and research in focus

Beyond the keynote, the event emphasized UĢ����ý’s growing strength in  and its collaboration with the CSA. Several of the researchers in the space science program are supported through ongoing collaborations with the agency, which plays a key role in advancing research, funding projects, and creating opportunities for students and faculty. 

“Taking Flight reflects the Faculty of Science’s commitment to advancing space science through collaboration,” said Dean Kristin Baetz. “We were proud to have the support of the Canadian Space Agency to bring this experience to our community. It was especially exciting to welcome Alberta native Joshua Kutryk home and celebrate the role our researchers, students and partners are playing in shaping Canada’s future in space exploration.”

Bringing industry together

Kutryk also joined industry, government and academic leaders in a focused conversation about the future of space science, exploring Canada’s role in space exploration, national defence and innovation, alongside the importance of sustained investment and policy support. The discussion further underscored how cross-sector partnerships can accelerate discovery and help build the next generation of talent.

Kutryk noted that Canada’s presence in international missions reflects long-term commitment and influence.

“Being part of these missions shows the value Canada brings to the global space community,” he said.

Momentum from the day’s events connects to a broader vision for the future at UĢ����ý, including plans for a new multidisciplinary science hub designed to bring researchers, students and partners together.

Taking Flight marked a milestone by uniting a full-house public event with industry dialogue and frontline research — reinforcing UĢ����ý’s growing role as a hub for space science, innovation and collaboration.

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