Latest news with #SpaceShuttleChallenger
New York Post
14 hours ago
- Science
- New York Post
Dog's ashes among dozens to rocket into orbit this weekend
Bone voyage! A beloved dog named Franz will take his final leap this weekend — into Earth's orbit. The yellow labrador's ashes will be on board the inaugural Perseverance Flight from Texas-based Celestis Inc., which is scheduled to launch around 5:30 p.m. Sunday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara, CA. 4 Franz was like a sibling to Elizabeth Moore before he died at age 13 in October 2020. Celestis, Inc Carrying a total of 166 titanium and aluminum capsules, each about a quarter to a half-inch in size and filled with DNA or cremated remains, the 23-foot-tall SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will take two trips around Earth's low orbit at a mind-boggling 17,000 mph. The space flight will last about three hours before the rocket — still carrying its priceless payload — re-enters the atmosphere and lands in the Pacific Ocean somewhere between Alaska and Hawaii, according to Celestis CEO and co-founder Charles Chafer. A recovery ship, which was already out at sea Friday in anticipation of the launch, 'will track the incoming rocket, hopefully get a visual on it, and then go pick it up out of the ocean,' Chafer explained. 4 The Texas-based company Celestis Inc.'s inaugural Perseverance Flight will take two trips around Earth's Lower Orbit after blastoff on Sunday. The capsules will first be transported to Germany, then, within two months, distributed back to the families, who each paid a whopping $3,500 to send their loved one to the stars. While the price to send Franz on the voyage was 'a lot more' than the pooch itself, his owner, Harvin Moore, said with a laugh, it was only fitting for the 'space-fanatic' Moore family to send the pup beyond the stratosphere. 'He was the best dog, just so soft and nice and loved hugs,' recalled Moore, 60, who lives in Dripping Springs, Texas, just outside Austin. 4 The Moore family can't wait to watch their beloved pooch go galactic. Celestis, Inc Franz, who was 13 when he died in October 2020, was more like a sibling than a pet to Moore's now 26-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, and son, Quinn, 21, he said. Now, the family can't wait to watch the good boy go galactic. 'The emotional power of being with a group of people who are celebrating the life of a loved one in this way … it's amazing. It's nothing we'll ever forget,' said Moore. 'It's just pure joy.' 4 The Perseverance Flight will carry a total of 166 titanium and aluminum capsules, ranging in size from a quarter to a half-inch, filled with DNA or cremated remains. Celestis, Inc 'Many people whose ashes and DNA are flying are people that always wanted to go to space in their lifetime but were never able to do that. It also helps families move from feelings of grief to joy,' Chafer said. The cremated remains of Wesley Dreyer — an aerospace engineer who helped investigate the cause of the Space Shuttle Challenger's shocking explosion after takeoff on Jan. 28, 1986 — will also be on board the Perseverance Flight, as well as DNA from a living, 3-year-old German boy.
Ottawa Citizen
11-06-2025
- Climate
- Ottawa Citizen
Today's letters: Detentions — this smart student gets it right
Article content Article content How is it that 13-year-old Elise Ravesloot can see this outdated and ineffective punishment for what it is, a complete waste of time? Not only has she identified the problem with school detentions, but she has come up with an excellent solution to clean up our extremely nasty-looking city. Article content Article content Bravo Elise. Hopefully the powers that be will pay attention to this very wise and articulate 13-year-old. Article content Marsha Maslove, Ottawa Article content There is bad air quality in Ottawa right now but here's something we can do about it. Article content The air quality Ontario web site ( is telling us that the outdoor air quality is poor and to stay indoors as much as possible. The particle emissions (known as PM2.5) are near 100, which makes Ottawa air as bad as some of the most polluted cities on Earth. Article content Unfortunately, most peoples' indoor air quality is not likely to be much better than the outdoor readings as that bad air will soon permeate a dwelling that isn't super well sealed and/or filtered. Article content Article content There is something that people can do, however. Buy an air purifier or build your own for about $50. Get a 20 x 20 inch box fan. Tape the same size furnace fan filter on the inlet side of the fan. Get it going inside your home. I've got my home-made version working right now and have got the indoor particle emissions down to nine when Ottawa's downtown air quality station is reading close to 100. Article content Marc Garneau, Canada's first astronaut and a distinguished public servant, passed away on June 4, at 76. Born in Quebec City, he began his career as a naval officer and engineer before making history on Oct. 5, 1984, when he flew aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, becoming the first Canadian in space. He would go on to complete two more missions, logging over 677 hours in orbit and emerging as a symbol of Canadian scientific achievement and international collaboration.
Hamilton Spectator
07-06-2025
- Science
- Hamilton Spectator
Marc Garneau left lasting legacy on Earth and in space, former colleagues say
MONTREAL - Canadian scientists working on asteroid missions, exploring the universe through the James Webb Space Telescope or helping to put rovers on Mars say they can in some way thank Marc Garneau, who left an enduring legacy both as an astronaut and head of the country's space agency. While best-known in later years as a federal cabinet minister, Garneau, who died this week at 76, was also a Navy officer, a systems engineer, and an astronaut with a lifelong passion for science, according to his friends and colleagues. In 1984, he made history as the first Canadian in space when he served as a payload specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. He returned to space twice more, in 1996 and 2000, before serving as the president of the Canadian Space Agency from 2001 to 2005. 'All his life was devoted to public service,' said Gilles Leclerc, an ex-CSA official who worked with him. 'And he was really a role model to all the Canadian astronauts who came after him.' As CSA president, Garneau laid the building blocks for the space exploration program that would bring together other initiatives previously developed separately, Leclerc said. He was also 'ahead of his time' when it came to being conscious of the environment and understanding the importance of applying space technology for practical uses such as satellite communications. 'During his tenure, he really wanted us to focus more on science: astronomy, planetary science, lunar exploration,' Leclerc said in a phone interview. 'So all these things that now we see, all these missions that Canada participated in, like a mission to the asteroids, two missions to Mars, the James Webb Space had a real strong influence in shaping the future of the space program for a long time.' On Friday, CSA President Lisa Campbell paid tribute to Garneau, who she called a 'cherished member of the space agency family.' 'We remain deeply grateful for his extraordinary public service and enduring contributions to Canada and the world, from making history as the first Canadian in space to guiding the Canadian Space Agency as its president,' she said at an event at the agency's Montreal-area headquarters. 'his integrity, his generosity of spirit touches everyone who had the privilege of working with him.' Flags at government buildings in Montreal have been lowered to half-mast in tribute. Garneau would carry his love of science — as well as his significant technical knowledge — into his next role as a politician, according to his former chief of staff and close personal friend. Marc Roy said Garneau decided to run for office out of a desire to give back after his successful space career. Garneau often spoke about how seeing the Earth from above 'changed his perspective on many things,' including conflicts and environmental protections, Roy said. 'So many things that unfortunately divide us as humans that become so irrelevant when you look at our world from abroad,' Roy said in a phone interview. 'And that desire to want to contribute at an even higher level, at a different, at a policy level, at a governance level is what inspired him to run for federal politics.' Garneau was elected as MP in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce–Westmount in 2008 after failing to win another Montreal-area seat in 2006. Roy said Garneau's scientific background shone through most clearly as Transport minister, when he was able to instantly grasp technical briefings on ships, planes and trains. Above all, his history as a naval officer and astronaut gave him a laser focus on safety, Roy said, in a role that would see Garneau introduce measures including the safer skies initiative, and the oceans protection plan to monitor ship traffic, oil spills and wildlife. Roy said Garneau often spoke about the weight of the portfolio, 'wanting to ensure that he did it to the best of his ability, that he truly understood every decision that he was taking and every decision that was possible for him to make in order to ensure the safety of the traveling public and the safety overall of our trade and transportation corridors.' Roy said Garneau brought a scientist's analytic, 'Spock-like' demeanor to his roles. But he said some of the issues Garneau championed most passionately were social causes, including serving as a joint chair of the special joint committee on medical assistance in dying. And, despite his considerable intelligence, Roy said Garneau remained humble. 'He had a very rare quality in a politician, from his very debut until the very last day before he retired as member of Parliament, which was: he listened more than he talked,' Roy said. He said his friend was diagnosed only months ago with two cancers: leukemia and lymphoma, and died after a battle that was 'brave but short.' Roy said his friend's time since retirement was spent enjoying time with his wife, Pam, and his children, and completing work on his autobiography, 'A Most Extraordinary Ride: Space, Politics and the Pursuit of a Canadian Dream.' Roy said the book gave Garneau closure. 'He wanted to tell the story that, 'I'm just like everybody else and I failed and I've screwed up and I pulled up my socks and I learned from my mistakes and I moved on,'' Roy said. 'And that was very important for him to tell that story, and I'm just so fortunate that he had the time to do that.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 7, 2025.
Vancouver Sun
07-06-2025
- Science
- Vancouver Sun
Marc Garneau left lasting legacy on Earth and in space, former colleagues say
MONTREAL — Canadian scientists working on asteroid missions, exploring the universe through the James Webb Space Telescope or helping to put rovers on Mars say they can in some way thank Marc Garneau, who left an enduring legacy both as an astronaut and head of the country's space agency. While best-known in later years as a federal cabinet minister, Garneau, who died this week at 76, was also a Navy officer, a systems engineer, and an astronaut with a lifelong passion for science, according to his friends and colleagues. In 1984, he made history as the first Canadian in space when he served as a payload specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. He returned to space twice more, in 1996 and 2000, before serving as the president of the Canadian Space Agency from 2001 to 2005. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'All his life was devoted to public service,' said Gilles Leclerc, an ex-CSA official who worked with him. 'And he was really a role model to all the Canadian astronauts who came after him.' As CSA president, Garneau laid the building blocks for the space exploration program that would bring together other initiatives previously developed separately, Leclerc said. He was also 'ahead of his time' when it came to being conscious of the environment and understanding the importance of applying space technology for practical uses such as satellite communications. 'During his tenure, he really wanted us to focus more on science: astronomy, planetary science, lunar exploration,' Leclerc said in a phone interview. 'So all these things that now we see, all these missions that Canada participated in, like a mission to the asteroids, two missions to Mars, the James Webb Space Telescope…Marc had a real strong influence in shaping the future of the space program for a long time.' On Friday, CSA President Lisa Campbell paid tribute to Garneau, who she called a 'cherished member of the space agency family.' 'We remain deeply grateful for his extraordinary public service and enduring contributions to Canada and the world, from making history as the first Canadian in space to guiding the Canadian Space Agency as its president,' she said at an event at the agency's Montreal-area headquarters. 'his integrity, his generosity of spirit touches everyone who had the privilege of working with him.' Flags at government buildings in Montreal have been lowered to half-mast in tribute. Garneau would carry his love of science — as well as his significant technical knowledge — into his next role as a politician, according to his former chief of staff and close personal friend. Marc Roy said Garneau decided to run for office out of a desire to give back after his successful space career. Garneau often spoke about how seeing the Earth from above 'changed his perspective on many things,' including conflicts and environmental protections, Roy said. 'So many things that unfortunately divide us as humans that become so irrelevant when you look at our world from abroad,' Roy said in a phone interview. 'And that desire to want to contribute at an even higher level, at a different, at a policy level, at a governance level is what inspired him to run for federal politics.' Garneau was elected as MP in Notre-Dame-de-Grace_Westmount in 2008 after failing to win another Montreal-area seat in 2006. Roy said Garneau's scientific background shone through most clearly as Transport minister, when he was able to instantly grasp technical briefings on ships, planes and trains. Above all, his history as a naval officer and astronaut gave him a laser focus on safety, Roy said, in a role that would see Garneau introduce measures including the safer skies initiative, and the oceans protection plan to monitor ship traffic, oil spills and wildlife. Roy said Garneau often spoke about the weight of the portfolio, 'wanting to ensure that he did it to the best of his ability, that he truly understood every decision that he was taking and every decision that was possible for him to make in order to ensure the safety of the traveling public and the safety overall of our trade and transportation corridors.' Roy said Garneau brought a scientist's analytic, 'Spock-like' demeanor to his roles. But he said some of the issues Garneau championed most passionately were social causes, including serving as a joint chair of the special joint committee on medical assistance in dying. And, despite his considerable intelligence, Roy said Garneau remained humble. 'He had a very rare quality in a politician, from his very debut until the very last day before he retired as member of Parliament, which was: he listened more than he talked,' Roy said. He said his friend was diagnosed only months ago with two cancers: leukemia and lymphoma, and died after a battle that was 'brave but short.' Roy said his friend's time since retirement was spent enjoying time with his wife, Pam, and his children, and completing work on his autobiography, 'A Most Extraordinary Ride: Space, Politics and the Pursuit of a Canadian Dream.' Roy said the book gave Garneau closure. 'He wanted to tell the story that, 'I'm just like everybody else and I failed and I've screwed up and I pulled up my socks and I learned from my mistakes and I moved on,'' Roy said. 'And that was very important for him to tell that story, and I'm just so fortunate that he had the time to do that.' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
07-06-2025
- Science
- Edmonton Journal
Marc Garneau left lasting legacy on Earth and in space, former colleagues say
Article content In 1984, he made history as the first Canadian in space when he served as a payload specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. He returned to space twice more, in 1996 and 2000, before serving as the president of the Canadian Space Agency from 2001 to 2005. 'All his life was devoted to public service,' said Gilles Leclerc, an ex-CSA official who worked with him. 'And he was really a role model to all the Canadian astronauts who came after him.' As CSA president, Garneau laid the building blocks for the space exploration program that would bring together other initiatives previously developed separately, Leclerc said. He was also 'ahead of his time' when it came to being conscious of the environment and understanding the importance of applying space technology for practical uses such as satellite communications. 'During his tenure, he really wanted us to focus more on science: astronomy, planetary science, lunar exploration,' Leclerc said in a phone interview.
