“Field Geology Training for Canadian Astronauts – Preparing for Future Space Missions”

[Hansen talk May 8 2013 poster – PDF ]

Please join us at 3:30 pm on Wednesday May 8 in UCC 56 for Jeremy Hansen, Canadian Space Agency Astronaut, and Dr. Gordon “Oz” Osinski CPSX’s Associate Director, overview of two expeditions, including their trip to Victoria Island, NWT, in summer 2012, where they discovered Canada’s newest meteorite impact crater!

In July 1971 astronauts Charles Duke and John Young prepared for their Apollo 16 mission to the Moon by carrying out field geology training in and around Sudbury. Why Sudbury? Because it’s the site of one of the world’s largest meteorite impact craters – the scar left by the collision of asteroid almost two billion years ago. Indeed, meteorite impact structures are one of the most common geological landforms in the Solar System. Fast forward more than half a century and the newest cadre of astronauts are studying planetary geology for the first time since the Apollo missions.

In order to prepare for future robotic and human exploration missions it is essential that Canada’s astronauts receive training in geology. Geology is best learned in the field with personalized instruction. The driving paradigm is that the astronauts will be immersed in cutting edge “real” research at a variety of impact crater sites. Further, by focusing on poorly studied or unknown impact craters, the astronauts will experience, first hand, the true spirit of exploration – going somewhere for the first time and with little knowledge except what can be gleaned from satellites.

Jeremy Hansen was born and raised in Ontario. He joined the Air Cadet Program at the age of 12 and obtained both glider and private pilot licenses through this program by the age of 17. This experience led to his acceptance to the Royal Military College where he earned a Bachelor in Space Science and a Master in Physics, and became a CF-18 fighter pilot. Jeremy was selected in May 2009 as one of two members of the third Canadian Astronaut selection. He is one of 14 members of the 20th NASA astronaut class. In 2011, Jeremy graduated from Astronaut Candidate Training and is now eligible for spaceflight. Since his graduation, he’s been assigned as Crew Support Astronaut for Expedition 34/35, the mission of fellow Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, and is a Capcom.

Hope to see everyone there!