Fellow graduates as an astronaut

St Catharine’s Fellow Dr Jenni Sidey (2016) is today among the first class of astronaut candidates to graduate under the Artemis programme run by the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As one of two Canadian Space Agency participants completing basic training, she is now eligible to be selected to fly in space, including assignments to the International Space Station and missions to the Moon or Mars.

“On behalf of everyone at St Catharine’s College, warmest congratulations to Dr Sidey on her graduation as an astronaut, the culmination of many years’ hard work and commitment to the Artemis programme. I look forward to Dr Sidey’s next steps towards space travel and continuing to support her on this extraordinary journey,” commented Professor Sir Mark Welland, Master of St Catharine’s. “I am immensely proud of the ongoing successes of our community of Fellows, students and staff – and today reminds us all how remarkable and inspiring these achievements can be.”

Dr Sidey and 12 other astronaut candidates are being honoured with a special ceremony at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, is being broadcast from 3.30pm GMT on both NASA Television and the agency’s website. The new astronauts have completed intensive training in spacewalking, robotics, International Space Station systems, T-38 jet proficiency and Russian language. They will now help develop spacecraft, support teams currently in space and ultimately join the ranks of only about 500 people who have travelled into space.