I am very excited to introduce this episode as it is all space podcasters dream to interview an astronaut on their platform, and I am pleased to introduce Canadian Space Agency, or CSA, astronaut Joshua Kutryk. Joshua was selected as part of the 2017 CSA Group, the fourth Canadian astronaut recruitment campaign. Before joining the CSA, Joshua was an experimental test pilot and fight pilot in the Canadian Armed Forces in Cold Lake, Alberta,  with experience operating more than 25 different aircrafts. Joshua also holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering (1st Class Distinction) from the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, as well as two masters degrees in flight test engineering and defense studies.

Joshua takes me back to when he was studying mechanical engineering and space studies at the Royal Military College of Canada and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I learn from Joshua how joining the space sector with an engineering and pilot mindset gives you a sense of learning how to prioritize tasks and achieve your dreams. So, without further ado, let’s get right into the episode.

Guest Bio

Prior to joining the Canadian Space Program, Joshua Kutryk (or Colonel Kutryk) worked as an experimental test pilot and a fighter pilot in Cold Lake, Alberta, where he led the unit responsible for the operational flight-testing of fighter aircraft in Canada, operating more than 25 different aircrafts.

Joshua held the responsibility for safely conducting the initial airborne evaluations of new technologies and systems on CF-18s. He worked with a team of aerospace engineers, analysts, aircraft technicians and program managers in order to make the CF-18 safer and more effective in its mission. Joshua has worked on a variety of technical flight test projects, ranging from navigation tests and flight control systems to weapon guidance and control.

In 2012, Colonel Kutryk received the prestigious Liethen-Tittle Award from the United States Air Force for being their top test pilot graduate, an award also presented to Colonel Chris Hadfield in 1988.

From 2007 to 2011, Colonel Kutryk served as a CF-18 fighter pilot with 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron in Bagotville, Quebec. During that time, he flew missions in support of NATO, UN and NORAD commitments around the world. He has been deployed in both Libya and Afghanistan.

Credit: Canadian Space Agency (CSA-ASC)

If you would like to learn more about Joshua’s work and astronaut journey, you can follow him on Twitter @Astro_Kutryk, or you can check out his biography on the Canadian Space Agency website.

If you would like to learn more about the show you can email us at thediariesofspaceexplorers@gmail.com.

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Host and creator: Gavin Tolometti

Music Credit: https://www.purple-planet.com