Profession: Astronaut
Biography: Chris Hadfield was the first Canadian to command the International Space Station, as well as the first Canadian to walk in space. He is well-known for his efforts to make space exploration accessible to the public through social media.
Hadfield's interest in space began at age nine when he watched the Apollo 11 moon landing. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces and became a fighter pilot and test pilot. In 1992, he was selected as an astronaut by the Canadian Space Agency.
Hadfield flew on three space missions. He was the first Canadian to operate the Canadarm in orbit and to board the Russian space station Mir. During one of his two spacewalks, he experienced temporary blindness due to an issue with his spacesuit visor.
In 2013, Hadfield commanded the International Space Station during Expedition 35. He gained popularity by sharing his experiences on social media. He recorded music in space, including a cover of David Bowie's "Space Oddity" (1969), which became widely viewed online.
After retiring from space flight, Hadfield wrote several books, including "An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth" (2013). He became a professor at the University of Waterloo and hosted a BBC television show about the astronaut selection process. In 2021, he released his first novel, "The Apollo Murders."
Born: August 29, 1959
Birthplace: Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
Age: 64 years old
Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Pig
Star Sign: Virgo
Historical Events
- 2013-05-13 Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield departs the International Space Station to return to Earth
Personal Life
- 1981-12-23 Astronaut Chris Hadfield (22) weds high-school girlfriend Helene Walter
Famous Astronauts
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