Posted on June 4: Julie Payette on working and living in space
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Elbestawi_Payette_Ploy.jpg” caption=”Mo Elbestawi, Julie Payette, Mike Pley”]Julie Payette knows she has a cool job. As an astronaut, she's one of a select group of people who get to see earth from space. And to her, that's one of the greatest things about space exploration.
“As far as I'm concerned, the greatest privilege we get from working in space is we are able to bring back pictures of earth,” she says.
Payette offered a first-hand account of her experiences with the Canadian Space Agency and on the Space Shuttle Discovery mission, during a talk hosted by the Faculty of Engineering Thursday. She displayed several images of earth from space, including the Northern Lights, the Grand Canyon, Mount Everest, forest fires, land clearings and New York during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. “If everyone could go up and see the earth from up there, I think we would treat the planet a little better.”
Displaying a complete picture of earth taken from the moon the farthest picture of earth ever taken by a human being — she speculated on future space exploration. “In 500 years from now we'll look back on this and smile like we do now when looking back on some things from 500 years ago.”
The next great adventure will be space travel to Mars, she says. “In a few decades from now someone will set foot on the planet Mars and that will be an extraordinary feat.”
In June 1992, Payette was one of four selected among thousands of applicants by the Canadian Space Agency. After undergoing basic training in Canada, she worked as technical advisor for Mobile Servicing System, an advanced robotics system and Canada's contribution to the International Space Station (ISS).
From May 27 to June 6, 1999, Payette flew on Space Shuttle Discovery, as part of the crew of STS-96. During the mission, the crew performed the first manual docking of the shuttle to the ISS and delivered four tons of logistics and supplies to the station. On Discovery, Payette served as a mission specialist, held responsibility for the station systems, and operated the Canadarm robotic arm. The STS-96 mission was accomplished in 153 orbits of the Earth, traveling four million miles in nine days, 19 hours and 13 minutes. Payette became the first Canadian to participate in an ISS assembly mission and to board the space station.
One of the greatest challenges of space travel, she says, is weightlessness. “You have to learn how to flyunlike water you can't swim in it.” Everything floats in space, she adds, joking, “duct tape and Velcro are your friends.”
In fact, everyday rituals become challenges, she says, such as shaving, haircuts, sleeping, and going to the bathroom.
Fielding a question from an aspiring astronaut on the best route to the profession, Payette's advice was simple: “Do what you like to do and excel in it.”
Payette was 10 when she realized she wanted to be an astronaut, and 28 when that dream came true. “I was 28 year's old when I started and I'm 40 now and this is what I do for a living. This is my job and it's pretty cool.”
Payette received an honorary doctorate from McMaster University today (Friday) at the Faculty of Engineering Convocation.
Photo caption: Payette is pictured with dean of engineering Mo Elbestawi, left, and Mike Pley, president of COM DEV and McMaster engineering alumnus. Photo credit: Chantall Van Raay
