Hot off the success of the recent Artemis II mission to the moon involving Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, another Canadian has been selected for a space expedition. NASA has revealed the members of Expedition 75, the upcoming crew destined for the International Space Station (ISS). Joining the team are Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk, NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov.
Kutryk, recruited in 2017 alongside Jenni Gibbons, who recently served as Hansen’s backup for Artemis II, expressed his honor at being part of Crew-13 and representing Canada on this crucial mission. He emphasized his belief in space exploration driven by curiosity, adventure, innovation, and science, underpinned by collaboration to create opportunities and foster a better future. Kutryk was announced in 2023 as the next Canadian set to embark on a six-month mission to the ISS.
Initially slated to fly aboard Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner capsule, Kutryk’s mission plans have been redirected due to ongoing issues faced by Starliner. The spacecraft encountered setbacks during its uncrewed tests, including a critical incident in December 2019 where a misfire of its reaction-control thrusters impeded its ability to dock with the ISS. Subsequent missions in May 2022 and June 2024 also encountered challenges, leading to significant delays in the Starliner program’s capability to transport astronauts to and from the ISS.
In light of these setbacks, the revised plan is for the new crew, including Kutryk, to launch in a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft in mid-September. A native of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Kutryk has a background as a fighter pilot and operational test pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Since joining the Canadian Space Agency in 2017, he has been undergoing rigorous training in Houston alongside NASA personnel.