Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield to conduct home-grown science projects
Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield will have many responsibilities as commander of the International Space Station this winter.
But even though operating the Canadarm2 and supervising spacewalks are on his task list, none may be as important for Earthlings back home as five Canadian-born science experiments Hadfield will conduct and act as guinea pig for.
Expedition 34/35 will see Hadfield launch aboard the Russian Soyuz in December for the ISS — a floating laboratory that will provide the perfect testing environment to identify people who are prone to fainting, cardiovascular stress related to aging, and how to build better plastics.
University of Waterloo professor Richard Hughson is the principal investigator on two of the five Canadian Space Agency sponsored projects destined for space.
Hughson said despite the numerous challenges involved with conducting a science experiment in zero-gravity space, the environment offers a unique opportunity for discovery.
“It’s very special to be able to be involved with these guys,” Hughson said of his previous collaboration with astronauts and now Hadfield. “They’re concerned how what they do affects the rest of us.”