Officer of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: May 2, 2013
• Invested on: May 07, 2014

For his contributions to space exploration and to the promotion of science education.

Robert Thirsk is a space pioneer and an advocate of Canadian science education. An engineer and physician by training, he has twice flown to space as an astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency. The first Canadian to complete a long-duration expedition aboard the International Space Station, he has conducted extensive microgravity research that will benefit citizens worldwide and enable future space exploration. He has also shared his love of science with Canadians from coast to coast, and played key roles in the development of educational projects that allow young students to participate in space research.