Chris Hadfield

Hadfield, Chris and Kate Fillion. The Darkest Dark. Toronto: Tundra Books, 2016.

“Do you know the first Canadian to walk in space? If not, I will tell you all about him.

“On August 29, 1959, Chris Hadfield was born in Sarnia, Ontario. As he grew up, he dreamed of being an astronaut. He studied hard in school and after graduating, he attended military college, earning a degree in mechanical engineering. He then trained as a fighter pilot, but he still dreamed of going into space.

“Nine years later, Space Canada announced it was hiring more astronauts. What great news! Hadfield sent in his application, along with 5000 other people. He waited and waited, What would happen? Would he be chosen? Would he achieve his dream?

“Good news came later that year. Hadfield was chosen as one of four new astronauts to go into space!

“For the next three years, Hadfield spent time practising the systems he would be using in space. Finally, on the day of lift-off, the shuttle blasted off. Hadfield went to space for eight days. In 2001, he went back for a second time and walked in space, creating history.

“Many years later, Hadfield got chosen again. On December 19, 2012, Hadfield took off one more time in the biggest spacecraft ever created! Hadfield was in command this time; he and his crew kept busy, sharing more than one hundred videos. When Hadfield came back to earth a few months later, he had become one of the most famous astronauts in the world!

“Today, Hadfield is retired and spends his time telling people what it is like to be an astronaut. He reminds people to work hard to reach their dreams. He inspires them to be prepared for the adventures of life.” – by Rabia in grade six             

More biographies

Print Friendly, PDF & Email