Photo: NASA
For Thomas Karakolis (PhD ’14) the most exciting part about becoming an astronaut isn’t the chance to conduct scientific experiments from outer space, it’s the chance to actually be the experiment.
“Astronauts are human participants in one giant experiment,” said Karakolis. “I think that’s what appeals to me. I’m a very curious person, and there is nothing more unknown than space.”
Karakolis is one of 72 candidates shortlisted in the Canadian Space Agency’s (CSA) campaign to recruit two new astronauts. He beat out more than 3,700 other applicants to make the list.
“Let’s just say I was pleasantly surprised when I found out I made the cut,” he said. “I thought I had a decent enough shot, but you never know what the competition is like.”
Pushing the boundaries of what’s possible
On paper, Karakolis is a perfect fit for the CSA. An engineer by training, he specialized in ergonomics under Canada Research Chair Jack Callaghan for his doctorate, landing a job as a defense scientist for the Department of National Defense shortly after graduation. At work, Karakolis looks at the biomechanics of injury prevention across all branches of the Canadian Armed Forces.
“Every day when I come in to work it’s about problem solving in theatres of operation: how to keep our troops on the ground agile with all the equipment they have to carry,” he said. “It’s about preventing injury and also improving performance.”
The Canadian Space agency requires all candidates to have a university education in a STEM-related field, and— in addition to being in excellent health— possess qualities conducive to surviving months in orbit: superior judgement, resourcefulness, integrity and a team mentality.
“The application process was very rigorous,” he said. “And I imagine it’s about to get much more demanding.”
If selected as Canada’s next astronaut, Karakolis will embark on two years of basic training at the CSA headquarters in Quebec and the NASA headquarters in Texas. There, he will learn to fly a plane and parachute, be trained in trauma response and survival skills, and master everything from robotics to Russian.
“The title of astronaut isn’t something earned easily,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to push the boundaries of what I believe is possible. If I’m lucky enough to be selected, it will be an honour to serve and help advance society's understanding of ourselves and the world around us.”