Astronaut Thirsk lauds space investment
Written by on February 8th, 2010 in Latest News.
Astronaut Robert Thirsk told University of Calgary students and faculty on Monday that ‘dreams don’t come right by wishing on a star.’ (Terri Trembath/CBC) Canadian astronaut Robert Thirsk visited his ancient alma mater Monday to pick up the degree he was awarded while in orbit.
Thirsk was living on the International Space Station for six months when he was awarded the doctor of laws degree last July.
The University of Calgary engineering graduate travelled more than 125 million kilometres and established a Canadian record for time spent in space. He returned to Earth last Dec. 1 on a Russian spacecraft, which landed in Kazakhstan.
Robert Thirsk, top, of Canada, Frank De Winne of Belgium, centre, and Roman Romanenko of Russia board the Soyuz-FG rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan last May as they set out for the International Space Station.
(Anatoly Maltsev, pool/Associated Press)In Calgary on Monday, Thirsk told faculty and students that the benefits of Canada’s involvement in space exploration can be found far and wide.
“We make money in space,” he said. “In a typical year the Canadian government invests $300 million on space programs. In a typical year … space companies reap revenues of $3 billion.”
And the investment in space-related technologies has benefits that aren’t limited to the aerospace sector, Thirsk said.
“You don’t have to look any further than Calgary,” he said. “Go to Foothills Hospital. You’ll find NeuroArm there. NeuroArm is a surgical instrument, which performs surgery on patients’ brains which surgeons with their limited dexterity cannot do.”
Thirsk encouraged students to dream huge dreams — and to build them on a sold education.
“Dreams don’t come right by wishing on a star,” the astronaut said. “I’d encourage young Canadians to launch their dreams on a solid educational foundation.”
“It’s not unrealistic that a graduate of University of Calgary should glide aboard the International Space Station and perhaps one day walk on the surface of Mar. It’s easily within the realm of possibility.”
Thirsk said six months is a long time to spend in space and he is pleased to be back on Earth. He said he watched the lights of Calgary pass by beneath him many times while he was in orbit.
