Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk says he's 'having a blast' on the International Space Station

Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk says he's 'having a blast' on the International Space Station

'It’s important for Canada to be here,' Kutryk says in first interview aboard ISS

Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk describes seeing northern lights from space

Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk launched to the International Space Station (ISS) 11 days ago for a six-month mission in space.

On Tuesday, in his first Q&A with reporters while in space, he said so far, he's "having a blast."

Kutryk said he's still getting used to living in space, and he's having to relearn common skills, like sleeping ("What do you do with your neck when you're sleeping? What do you do with your hands?"), eating and using tools.

"It's like you're two or three years old again learning to do the most simple things in life," he said of being in microgravity. "It can be very frustrating, but when you take a step back and look out the window and sort of laugh at yourself, it's also very fun, very satisfying and, again, just leaves you feeling so lucky to be here doing this mission."

It's not all about fun, though. He's also been hard at work.

Kutryk said he's already begun science experiments, including one on mental health and another monitoring his vital signs.

'Canada's strong legacy in space'

This is Kutryk's first time in space. His mission comes just six months after Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen flew around the moon during the Artemis II mission.

Kutryk said that he hopes Canadians see this as a road to innovation and a "brighter future."

This medical device heading to space with Joshua Kutryk is also helping people here on Earth

Joshua Kutryk's launch to the ISS is another example of the important role Canada plays in space exploration

"I hope people see it as testament to what Canada can do," he said. "It's important because it puts industry and academia and and commercial entities from Canada here with me on that leading edge of spaceflight. That's how we innovate. That's how we develop new technologies."

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Kutryk noted that, during the Q&A, he was crossing over Vancouver and would soon pass over Quebec.

"I do get to see the country a lot from here," he said.

And he's also seen an incredible display of the northern lights.

He also noted that he's lost five pounds since arriving on the ISS, which illustrates the importance of exercise and nutrition while living in space.

And that's what many of those experiments on board study: astronaut health.

One Canadian experiment that will be completing in the next few months is called T-Bone, which uses 3D technology to study changes in astronauts' bone health. But there are many more Canadian experiments on board.

Kutryk said that Canada has an important role to play in space exploration.

"I hope people see the bigger picture. It’s important for Canada to be here," he said. "We take a lot of benefits from these missions and it's something that that we hope we can continue Canada's strong legacy in space going forward."

Based in Toronto, Nicole covers all things science for CBC News. As an amateur astronomer, Nicole can be found looking up at the night sky appreciating the marvels of our universe. She is the editor of the Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and the author of several books. In 2021, she won the Kavli Science Journalism Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science for a Quirks and Quarks audio special on the history and future of Black people in science. You can send her story ideas at nicole.mortillaro@cbc.ca.