Drawing Canadian history

"Ms. DeWit's design tells the story of this historic mission for Canada. Canadians will have every reason to be proud when Chris Hadfield delivers and installs the next-generation Canadarm on the International Space Station, and becomes the first Canadian to ever walk in space," commented the Honourable Brian Tobin, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency.

The patch commemorates Canada's participation in Mission STS-100, an assembly flight of the International Space Station. It celebrates the delivery and installation of the second-generation Canadarm to the Station. It also highlights Col. Hadfield's space walk, the first time a Canadian will step out into the vacuum of space. The Astronaut Wings on the patch were presented to Col. Hadfield by the Prime Minister of Canada after his first space mission in 1995. They represent his pride in his country and his military heritage.

"Ms. DeWit's mission patch is a visual symbol of our efforts and truly captures Canada's achievements in space. It will be my honour to wear it on my flight suit," said Col. Hadfield. "The fact that the winner of the contest is a youth originating from rural Canada much like myself, is an additional source of pride for me."

As grand prize winner of the contest, Ms. DeWit will receive a copy of her original artwork signed by Col. Hadfield; a signed in-flight photo of the CSA Astronaut wearing her winning patch design; an invitation by Col. Hadfield to attend the launch of Mission STS-100 at Cape Canaveral, Florida; as well as a CAN$500 cash prize. Ms. DeWit's college, Conestoga College, will see its Coat of Arms flown onboard Space Shuttle Endeavour and will be presented with a mounted collage of in-flight photos signed by Hadfield.

On October 29, 1999, the CSA invited Canadian Fine Arts post-secondary students to participate in a nation-wide contest to design the Canadian patch for International Space Station Assembly Mission STS-100. The patch design had to reflect the participants' awareness and understanding of the Canadian content of this historic mission.

The CSA encourages students to achieve greater scientific literacy and pursue careers in science and technology. It also supports higher learning in complimentary areas, such as Fine Arts, as it is an important step in the development of a well-rounded, highly educated community prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Canada's contribution to the ISS

Canada is one of the international partners working with the United States, Russia, Japan and 11 nations, members of the European Space Agency, to construct the largest engineering project ever undertaken, the International Space Station. Once completed, the Station will cover an area as large as a football field (108 x 74 metres) and weigh 450 tons. Orbiting at an average altitude of 400 kilometres, it regularly flies over Canada, is visible to the naked eye and, since the installation of solar panels by CSA Astronaut Marc Garneau in December 2000, is the brightest man-made object in the sky.

The Canadian contribution to the International Space Station, the Mobile Servicing System (MSS), is made up of three elements: a next-generation Canadarm, the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS); a smaller, detachable two-armed robot, the Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator (SPDM), that can be placed on the end of the SSRMS to perform delicate operations; and the Mobile Remote Servicer Base System, a movable platform for the robotic arm and the SPDM, which will slide along rails located on the Space Station's main structure to transport the arm to various points on the Station. The MSS is essential to the ISS, as it is needed to continue the assembly of the space station and to maintain the facility during its 10-year planned life.

Canada is also contributing the Space Vision System that provides information on the exact location, orientation and motion of a specific target, allowing astronauts manipulating the SSRMS to handle its payloads precisely and safely. The Mobile Servicing System Operations Complex, a Ground Segment located at CSA headquarters in Saint-Hubert, Quebec completes Canada's contribution to the ISS and will be used to plan missions, monitor the health of the robotic arm, and to train astronauts and cosmonauts.

About the CSA

Established in 1989 and situated in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, the Canadian Space Agency coordinates all aspects of the Canadian Space Program. Through its Space Knowledge, Applications and Industry Development business line, the CSA delivers services involving: Earth and the Environment; Space Science; Human Presence in Space; Satellite Communications; Generic Space Technologies; Space Qualification Services and Awareness. The Canadian Space Agency is at the forefront of the development and application of space knowledge for the benefit of Canadians and humanity.

- 30 -

For more information: For interviews:

Caroline Lavallée
Senior Communications Officer
Canadian Space Agency
Tel.: (450) 926-4370
E-Mail: caroline.lavallee@space.gc.ca

Nicole Gignac
Manager, Sectorial Communications (ISS and DFL)
Canadian Space Agency
Cell: (514) 944-7872
E-Mail: nicole.gignac@space.gc.ca