Chris Hadfield

astronaut · Canada · space explorer · ISS commander

First Canadian in space. Chris Hadfield made history as the first Canadian to perform extravehicular activity, which means he walked around in the vacuum of outer space while attached to a spacecraft.

Fighter pilot before astronaut. Before he ever went to space, Hadfield spent 25 years as a test pilot and fighter pilot in the Canadian Armed Forces, learning incredible skills that helped him become an astronaut.

Commanded the space station. Hadfield served as commander of the International Space Station, the massive laboratory orbiting Earth where astronauts from different countries live and work together in space.

Two shuttle missions. He flew on two Space Shuttle missions during his astronaut career, traveling to space multiple times to conduct important scientific research and repairs.

Retired Royal Canadian colonel. Hadfield reached the rank of colonel in the Royal Canadian Air Force, one of the highest military positions, before retiring from his astronaut career.