Ground Control to University of Waterloo. Commencing countdown, engines on! From the reaches of outer space to the very halls we may walk, the famous ISS Commander Chris Hadfield is coming to the University of Waterloo! The news surfaced on October 8 of this year that Chris Hadfield will be joining the University of Waterloo faculty as a professor. It is expected that he will provide instruction and assume advising roles in aviation programs offered by the Faculty of Environment and the Faculty of Science starting from the upcoming Fall Term in 2014. Hadfield is also currently involved with ongoing research with Professor Richard Hughson of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences regarding the health of astronauts upon return to earth after prolonged time in space.
This is not the first of Hadfield’s involvement with the University of Waterloo. As many know, a space-to-ground downlink between him and the University was held back in February, and a smiling Hadfield is seen with a University of Waterloo banner. Prior to this however, Hadfield has been both a guest and student at the university. Back in 1982 Chris Hadfield studied as an NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) postgraduate with the Faculty of Engineering. He conducted research and studies dealing with aircraft fuel pump designs. In 2007 Hadfield was a special guest and keynote speaker here at Waterloo during the official launch of the Waterloo Aviation program. His return to aviation enhances the experience of his work here at the University.
Not only did Chris Hadfield take David Bowie’s Space Oddity to a whole new level by performing it in space, but this Canadian astronaut is also a national hero. He is known as the first Canadian to walk in space, and the first Canadian given command of an International Space Station crew which only a few others in the world hold the distinction. Prior to his career with the Canadian Space Agency and NASA, Hadfield was a fighter pilot in service with the Royal Canadian Air Force. After studying and earning a degree in mechanical engineering at the Royal Military College, Hadfield was trained as a pilot in Manitoba where he was the top pilot in 1980. In the following year Hadfield was once again given honours as the overall top graduate from Basic Jet Training in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and shortly after was trained as a tactical fighter pilot. Hadfield spent years on the field as a fighter pilot flying CF-18s for NORAD where he flew the first CF-18 intercept of a Soviet “Bear” aircraft.
It was in 1992 that Chris Hadfield was selected as one of 4 new Canadian astronauts out of over 5300 applicants. His work with the CSA and the NASA involved numerous projects ranging from addressing technical and safety issues for Shuttle Operations Development to supporting shuttle launches at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. In 1995, Hadfield broke records during his service as a Mission Specialist on the STS-74 space shuttle mission, in which Hadfield flew as the first Canadian mission specialist, became the first Canadian to operate the Canadarm in orbit, and became the first and only Canadian to board the Russian Space Station Mir. Hadfield has also been NASA’s Chief CapCom for 25 space shuttle missions, and throughout the years of 1996 – 2000 served as the Chief Astronaut of the CSA representing CSA astronauts and overseeing their activities. In the years of 2003 – 2006 Hadfield worked at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas as the Chief of Robotics.
In these coming years, Chris Hadfield will surely continue to bring pride to many Canadians and continue to reach new heights and accomplishments. The University of Waterloo will be part of that journey as he himself becomes a part of the UW community. Hadfield brings with him an incredible wealth of information and experience to the University, given all of his past research, work, and life experiences. Students at the University of Waterloo will have the honour to be taught by a wonderful Canadian hero.
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