Canadian Astronaut Kutryk Bound for Space Station, Colleague to Back up Moon Flight

Innovation, Science and Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne makes an announcement as astronauts Joshua Kutryk and Jenni Gibbons, and Canadian Space Agency president Lisa Campbell look on at CSA headquarters in Longueuil, Que., on Nov. 22, 2023. The Canadian Press/Sidhartha Banerjee

Canada’s newest astronauts were given marching orders on Nov. 22, with one bound for a sojourn on the International Space Station, while the other will serve as backup on a highly anticipated upcoming lunar mission.

Joshua Kutryk’s six-month mission aboard the space station, parts of which are celebrating a 25th anniversary this year, will take place no earlier than 2025.