Space

CF-18 pilot, Colonel Chris Hadfield was the first Canadian aboard the space station MIR

As the world moves into the information age, reliance on satellite communications and space systems has grown. Space has become an increasingly important component of the global security environment.

Although all branches of the Canadian Forces share the responsibility for military space development, the air force has taken the lead.

Our participation in NORAD has allowed Canada unparalleled access to US space technology. Our personnel currently work at space surveillance sensor sites across the US and in the Space Surveillance Centre at NORAD headquarters in Colorado Springs.

The air force seeks to defend and safeguard Canadian interests which might be threatened in, from, or through space. Technology research and participation in joint projects to learn more about space is an important aspect of being capable of such a defence.

Colonel Chris Hadfield, a CF-18 fighter pilot, is probably the air force's best known contribution to the space program. As the first Canadian aboard the Russian space station, MIR, Hadfield operated the Canadarm in docking maneuvers from the shuttle Atlantis in November 1995.