A total of 204 days, 18 hours, and 29 minutes spent in space defines Robert Thirsk’s record as the Canadian with the most time beyond the atmosphere. A polymath who combined engineering, medicine, and aviation, his career bridged the gap between early space shuttle experiments and the long-term habitation of the International Space Station.
Academic Foundations
Born in 1953 in New Westminster, British Columbia, Thirsk pursued a multidisciplinary education. After attending Lord Beaverbrook High School in Calgary, he earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Calgary in 1976. He continued his studies with a Master of Science in mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1978 and an M.D. from McGill University in 1982. Later, in 1998, he completed an MBA as a Sloan Fellow at the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Early Career and Space Medicine
Selected by the National Research Council of Canada in 1985, Thirsk initially served as a backup payload specialist for mission STS-41-G in 1984. During his tenure as Chief Astronaut of the Canadian Space Agency in 1993 and 1994, he focused on space medicine. His research team investigated the physiological impacts of weightlessness, including the development of an experimental anti-gravity suit designed to protect the cardiovascular system during extended flight.
Space Shuttle and Station Operations
Thirsk flew aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia for mission STS-78 in 1996. During this 17-day flight, he conducted 43 experiments in the Spacelab module, covering life and materials science. In 2004, he certified as a flight engineer for the Soyuz spacecraft after training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre. In 2009, he launched as a flight engineer on Soyuz TMA-15, becoming the first Canadian to fly on a Soyuz craft and serving as a member of the Expedition 20 and 21 crews on the International Space Station.
Professional Distinctions
Throughout his career, Thirsk has been recognized for his contributions to both science and exploration. He became an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2014 and received the Medal For Merit in Space Exploration, among other honours. On July 8, 2009, while in orbit, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Calgary, becoming the first person to earn a university degree while in space.
Fast facts
- Born: 1953, New Westminster, Canada
- Education: University of Calgary, MIT, McGill University
- Record: 204 days, 18 hours, 29 minutes in space
- Space Mission: STS-78 (1996)
- Soyuz Mission: Soyuz TMA-15 (2009)
- Awards: Officer of the Order of Canada (2014)
Questions readers ask
Was Robert Thirsk the first Canadian to fly on a Soyuz spacecraft?
Yes, he became the first Canadian astronaut to fly on a Soyuz mission when he launched on Soyuz TMA-15 in 2009.
Did Robert Thirsk receive a degree while in space?
Yes, on July 8, 2009, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Calgary while aboard the International Space Station.
Achievements
- Educated at McGill University, MIT Sloan School of Management and Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Worked as astronaut, engineer and physician
