Garneau began his career as a naval officer in 1973. In 1983 Garneau applied to become an astronaut to fly in future space missions and was selected from nearly 4,300 applications. He was eventually selected as the first Canadian astronaut to go into space aboard STS-41G. He would fly on two further space flights. In 2001 Garneau became President of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). He drafted the Canadian Space Strategy, the document that defined the mandate and the long-term vision of the Canadian Space Program. 

He was responsible for the smooth deployment of Canada’s robotic contribution to the International Space Station (ISS).  This also included training facilities at the CSA itself to train all astronauts and cosmonauts using the Canadarm, as well as a CSA control centre responsible for supporting Houston during robotic arm operations on the ISS.

Born: 23 Feb 1949, Quebec City, QC
Awards: CC, CD, B.Sc., Ph.D, FCASI