Space
Julie Payette
Astronaut and Governor General of Canada 2017–2021
Born 1963
Photo: Johanie Maheu · CC BY-SA 4.0
Julie Payette flew twice to the International Space Station, operating the robotic arm on both missions, and later served as Canada's Governor General. She is a commercial pilot and a trained classical singer.
Key achievements
- First Canadian to board the International Space Station, 1999
- Two spaceflights, operating the robotic arm on both
- Governor General of Canada, 2017–2021
Universities
Montreal, Quebec
Took a master's degree in computer engineering in 1990 before joining the Canadian Space Agency.
Facts
- She speaks six languages and has sung with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra chamber choir.
- She was the first Canadian to board the International Space Station, in 1999.
- She holds a commercial pilot licence and has logged time in high-performance jet aircraft.
Photographs
Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; the author and licence are shown on each image.