The Canadian Space Agency has selected two of the country's newest astronauts.
Engineer Jennifer Sidey and Royal Canadian Air Force officer Joshua Kutryk are the lucky candidates chosen. The pair are both Alberta natives.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated the astronauts during the Canada Day speeches in Ottawa Saturday.
"Exploring space requires talent, skill, and imagination. Not only from our astronauts, but from our scientists and engineers that make space exploration possible," says Trudeau.
Sidey says this has been her dream ever since seeing the first Canadian female astronaut Roberta Bondar as a young girl.
"I'm grateful to have had that role model and that memory makes this moment so powerful for me as a woman and as a Canadian," says Sidey.
Kutryk is also thankful for the opportunity.
"I'm proud to have served the Royal Canadian Air Force and now today I'm very proud to serve the Canadian Space Agency," says Kutryk.
72 candidates, who participated in the competition, were tested both physically and mentally over the past several months.
Two locals made it on the short list of 17 candidates, including Chatham-native Dr. Erik Kroeker and Tecumseh doctor Adam Sirek.
Basic training with NASA is scheduled to take place in August.
