October 13, 2004 for immediate release

Julie Payette, Chief Astronaut for the Canadian Space Agency, will givea public talk at UNBC on Friday evening about the challenges andopportunities of living and working in Space.

In June 1992, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) selected Ms Payette from5330 applicants to become one of four astronauts. She flew on the SpaceShuttle Discovery in 1999. During the mission, the crew performed thefirst manual docking of the Shuttle to the International Space Station(ISS), and delivered four tons of supplies to the Station. Ms Payetteserved as a mission specialist, was responsible for the Stationsystems, and operated the Canadarm robotic arm while in orbit. Themission was accomplished in 153 orbits of the Earth, traveling morethan six million kilometres in 9 days. She was the first Canadian toparticipate in an ISS assembly mission and to board the Space Station.

Ms Payette holds degrees in Engineering from McGill University and theUniversity of Toronto and has honorary degrees from twelve Canadianuniversities.

"Working and Living in Space: A Challenge and an Opportunity"
Friday, Oct 15, 7:00pm, Weldwood Theatre (7-238)

Ms Payette is visiting Prince George as a member of the governingcouncil for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council,which - in 2004-05 - is investing $850 million in Canadianuniversity-based research and training in the natural sciences andengineering. The council is meeting at UNBC for the first time and itstwenty members are nationally recognized leaders in science andtechnology.