Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk is gearing up for a space mission to the International Space Station (ISS), following in the footsteps of Jeremy Hansen’s recent lunar flight. Kutryk, a Fort Saskatchewan native, expressed his excitement during a press call, emphasizing the honor and dreamlike nature of the opportunity.

A seasoned engineer, fighter pilot, and test pilot with over 4,000 flight hours across 40 aircraft types, Kutryk was selected by the Canadian Space Agency in 2017. Initially slated for a mission on Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner, delays prompted a switch to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. Kutryk’s launch, originally set for September 12, was rescheduled to October 1 due to spacecraft issues.

During his six-month stay on the ISS, Kutryk plans to bring Canadian symbols and personal items, including a cherished pocket watch with deep family significance. This mission, named Crew 13, will see Kutryk alongside NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, as well as Russian cosmonaut Sergey Teteriatnikov, conducting various experiments, some of which are Canadian-led.

Despite global challenges, Kutryk sees space exploration as a unifying force, highlighting the collaboration between nations like the United States, Canada, and Russia. He views the mission as a beacon of hope amidst worldly turmoil, emphasizing the potential for a brighter future through international cooperation in space exploration.