Canada’s Newest Astronaut Class Includes a Worldwide Graduate
Embry-Riddle alumnus Joshua Kutryk is one of the Canadian Space Agency’s newest astronauts.
On July 1, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Kutryk (WW ’09) and Jennifer Sidey as the country’s newest astronaut class. Kutryk, 35, earned his Master of Science in Aeronautics with a specialization in space studies from Embry-Riddle's Worldwide campus. Kutryk previously served as a test pilot and officer commanding the Fighter Operational Test and Evaluation Flight in Canada.
Kutryk said he has always been fascinated with space and that space exploration can help make the world a better place.
"I don't think it's fully sunk in yet ... it's a childhood dream come true,” Kutryk told CBC news.
Sidey and Kutryk will move to Houston this month to start a two-year training program. The two were selected from a pool of 3,772 applicants and 17 candidates who went through rigorous physical and mental testing.