UBC prof a step closer to becoming an astronaut
UBC Okanagan chemistry professor Richard Federley has made it another step closer to being named one of Canada’s next two astronauts.
The 35-year-old initially applied to the Canadian Space Agency along with 3,700 others last year.
Last month, it was revealed Federley was one of 72 finalists, along with Kelowna-born Ross Semeniuk, an air force doctor.
On Friday, the agency announced Federley, but not Semeniuk, had made the cut to be one of 32 still being considered. “This is new and exciting,” said Federley. “It’s definitely an honour to be getting closer and having a chance to represent B.C., the Okanagan and Kelowna.”
In February, Federley went to the Canadian Space Agency’s assessment centre in Longueuil, Que., for physical exams and aptitude tests.
“I kept my eye on the space agency’s recruitment my whole life and then at the right point, with my career experience and still being young enough for the physical demands, I applied,” he said.
“There’s definitely cross-overs with chemistry and space. It’s all about exploration and finding out how the universe works.”
Canada will announce its two astronauts in the summer and shortly after they will move to Texas for training at the Houston Space Station.
If Federley makes it, it will be like a homecoming for him.
Before moving to Kelowna two years ago to take the job at UBC Okanagan, he worked at Houston Methodist Hospital.
The list of 32 finalists includes 21 men and 11 women from across the country.
Most of them work in the sciences and medicine.
Canada’s astronauts will support space missions and have a chance to go up in a space shuttle.