Canada is contributing an essential component of the International Space Station, the Mobile Servicing System (MSS), which consists of three elements: the Space Station Remote Manipulator System, or manipulator arm, the Mobile Remote Servicer Base System, and the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator. The MSS is built for the Canadian Space Agency by the Canadian company MD Robotics. (CP PHOTO/HO/Canadian Space Agency)

Almost a quarter-century earlier, Canada officially entered the space age after NASA agreed to launch Alouette I, a satellite that was designed to study the ionosphere. Three years later, when John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth, a Canadian-made antenna went along for the ride.

Later in 1962, Relay-1, a communication satellite built by RCA Limited, was launched. The transponder onboard the spacecraft was provided by a microwave group at the RCA plant in Montreal – the first Canadian-built hardware in a communications satellite.

Canada was establishing its role as a supplier of space technology. That role would be solidified 12 years later when NASA awarded Canada the responsibility of designing, developing and building the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS) for the space shuttle program.

The result was the 15-metre robotic arm known as Canadarm. NASA ordered four other Canadarms from Spar Aerospace Limited of Brampton, Ont.

On Nov. 13, 1981, Canadarm made its debut aboard the space shuttle Columbia. Fifty missions and 7,000 Earth orbits later, the robotic arm has yet to malfunction.

In 1983, NASA decided that if Canada’s equipment was good enough for its space program, maybe its people could make it as astronauts, as well.

Workers in the Orbiter Processing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., install the Remote Manipulator System (RMS), also known as the Canadian robotic arm, on the orbiter Discovery, Friday, Oct. 15, 2004. The RMS will be used to deploy and retrieve payloads, and to aid the crew members in viewing surfaces of the orbiter. Discovery is scheduled to be the next shuttle launched. (AP Photo/NASA)

In May 1985, the National Research Council created a Space Division to manage the Canadian Astronaut Program Office and Canada's new Space Station Program. Four years later, responsibility for the astronaut program was handed over to the new Canadian Space Agency.

The agency has four other core functions:

• Space programs.
• Space technologies.
• Space science.
• Space operations.

The CSA has more than 600 employees and is headquartered in St-Hubert, Que., southeast of Montreal. The president of the agency is the first Canadian in space: Marc Garneau assumed the job on Nov. 22, 2001.

The agency does more than hire astronauts. However, if you want to become one, the agency makes the following recommendations:

• Earn at least one advanced degree in science or engineering.
• Become proficient in more than one discipline.
• Develop your public speaking skills, preferably in both official languages.
• Demonstrate concern for others by taking part in community activities.
• Maintain your physical fitness.
• OPTIONAL: learn to skydive, scuba dive, and/or pilot an airplane.

Once selected for the astronaut program, astronaut candidates undergo continuous and rigorous training to prepare for missions onboard the space shuttle and/or the International Space Station (ISS).

To confirm that you are well suited to working in space, you may also want to:

• Develop an understanding of topics in aerospace.
• Work for an aerospace company to get hands-on experience.
• Attend the International Space University (ISU).