TORONTO, ONTARIO--The President of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Steve MacLean will introduce the top 16 candidates remaining in the National Astronaut Recruitment Campaign during a news conference on Monday, March 16.

In addition to introducing the finalists, the news conference will provide media with insight into the National Astronaut Recruitment Campaign selection process.

Journalists who cannot be on site will be able to follow the event live on the Canadian Space Agency Web site at www.asc-csa.gc.ca.

For more information on the Campaign, visit our Web site at:

http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronauts/default.asp.

WHEN: Monday, March 16, 2009

HOUR: 11:00 a.m. Announcement and presentation
11:30 a.m. Opportunity for one-on-one interviews with CSA representatives and candidates

WHO: Steve MacLean, CSA President
Top 16 candidates, National Astronaut Recruitment Campaign

WHERE: Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) in Toronto
1133 Sheppard Avenue West (Sheppard Ave. W. and Allen Expressway; northeast corner of Parc Downsview Park)
(i)Media will be required to sign in at guardhouse on Yukon Lane.

NOTE: A light lunch will be served on site.

About the National Astronaut Recruitment Campaign:

The National Astronaut Recruitment Campaign was launched in May 2008. A record 5351 potential astronaut candidates submitted applications online. Over the course of the previous months, the ASC has interviewed selected candidates and put them through a series of medical exams and physical and skills tests in sometimes extreme conditions. The field has been narrowed to 16 finalists. From among them, two will be chosen to join Canada's Astronaut Corps in May 2009, with the opportunity to represent Canada in future space exploration missions, including long-duration spaceflights on the International Space Station.