Marc Garneau, the first Canadian astronaut to explore the heavens, has died at 76 after a short illness.
Born in Quebec City, Garneau studied engineering before joining the Canadian Armed Forces. In 1983, he was one of six people chosen in the Canadian Space Agency’s first astronaut recruitment campaign.
“We lost a great Canadian today,” current astronaut Joshua Kutryk posted on X, before going on to explain the inspirational role Garneau had in his life – first as a space pioneer and later as a politician. “As a child I wanted to be like Marc because he was a space explorer. But as an adult, I wanted to be like Marc because he was the best example of human kindness, Canadian values and public service I knew.”
Kutryk was just two years old in October 1984, when Garneau became the first Canadian to reach space as a payload specialist aboard NASA’s Space Shuttle Challenger, which took off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
It was a thrilling moment for Canadians, but for Garneau, looking out the shuttle’s window down at earth, it was much more sublime. “You’re in orbit over the Earth. And suddenly it’s very, very quiet. It’s dramatic … I couldn’t process it all. Even if I forget everything else in my life, that will stay with me, burned into my brain until the day I die,” he later recalled in a 2015 interview with Maclean’s.
Space exploration is much more routine these days, with private companies launching civilians into orbit and plans for missions to Mars. But back in the ’80s, Garneau’s inaugural flight was regarded as a momentous achievement, touching off an outpouring of pride for Canadians. Until that mission, it felt like only Americans and Russians were allowed in space.
Over the next two decades, Garneau flew on two more shuttle missions, the last one in 2000, when he operated the Canadarm to install equipment on the International Space Station. His success at NASA opened doors for future Canadian-born astronauts, eight of whom have since travelled to space.
“Marc Garneau was my role model, mentor, 30-plus-year close friend and a brave and exemplary Canadian for us all,” said fellow astronaut Chris Hadfield in a post on X.
Reaching such starry heights during his career – winning fame, acclamation and the country’s highest honours – there must have been great temptation for Garneau to rest on his laurels and spend the rest of his life dining out on his achievements.
But that was clearly never an option for this man of action. After his final flight, Garneau headed the Canadian Space Agency from 2001 to 2005; he then embarked on a successful political career, serving as MP for his Montreal riding from 2008 to 2023, with stints as minister of transport and foreign affairs under Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government.
Garneau’s legacy as an astronaut and public servant will live on, said Lisa Campbell, president of the CSA, in a statement on Garneau’s passing. “His integrity and generosity of spirit touched everyone who had the privilege to work with him. His legacy will continue to inspire us as we advance the role of space in improving life on Earth.”
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