A Canadian space explorer is heading to the stars. The Canadian Space Agency announced today that astronaut Joshua Kutryk, a Fort Saskatchewan native and former Royal Canadian Air Force fighter pilot, will launch to the International Space Station as part of Expedition 75 — marking another major achievement for Canada's space program.
Kutryk will blast off in mid-September 2025 aboard a commercial crew vehicle, joining NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov. The mission represents a historic moment: Kutryk will become the fourth Canadian astronaut to undertake a long-duration mission aboard the ISS and the first to fly under NASA's Commercial Crew Program.
"I am honoured to be a part of Crew-13 and represent Canada on this mission," Kutryk said in a statement. "To me, space is driven by curiosity, adventure, innovation, and science — but above all, collaboration. Collaboration that creates opportunity and builds a better future."
From Fighter Pilot to Space Explorer
Kutryk's journey to the ISS reflects years of dedication. The Alberta-born astronaut served as a fighter pilot and operational test pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force before the Canadian Space Agency recruited him in 2017. Since his recruitment, he has been undergoing intensive training in Houston with NASA, preparing for this moment.
In 2023, the CSA officially announced that Kutryk would be the next Canadian to fly to the ISS on a six-month mission — one of the most demanding assignments in human spaceflight.
Coming at a Time of Canadian Space Pride
Kutryk's announcement arrives on the heels of another major Canadian accomplishment. Earlier this year, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen was confirmed as part of NASA's Artemis II mission, which will see him travel around the moon. These back-to-back announcements underscore Canada's strengthening role in international space exploration.
Fellow CSA astronaut Jenni Gibbons, also recruited in 2017, recently served as Hansen's backup for Artemis II and as capcom (capsule communicator) for that historic mission — further highlighting the depth of Canadian talent in the space sector.
Why the September Launch?
The mission was originally scheduled to launch aboard Boeing's CST-100 Starliner, but the spacecraft has encountered significant technical challenges. A crewed test flight in June 2024 experienced thruster problems severe enough to leave two NASA astronauts aboard the station while the capsule returned to Earth. Due to these delays and ongoing Starliner issues, the crew will now launch in mid-September using an alternative commercial vehicle, ensuring mission success and astronaut safety.
For Albertans and Canadians, Kutryk's upcoming launch represents not just a personal achievement, but a validation of Canada's commitment to space science, international collaboration, and pushing the boundaries of human exploration.
This article is based on reporting from CBC Tech.