Happy birthday, Canadian astronaut Robert Thirsk!

Robert Thirsk, born August 17, 1953 in British Columbia, Canada, has been in space twice.  He holds the Canadian record for most time spent in space - 204 days, 18 hours.

His first trip was aboard Columbia (STS-78) as payload specialist in June 1996.  The mission was in preparation for the International Space Station.  He stayed in space for almost 17 days.

His second trip was aboard Soyuz TMA-15 to the International Space Station in May 2009.  He participated in Expeditions 20 and 21.  He returned to Earth in December 2009.

Columbia (STS-78) launched 1996

Front row (L-R): Terence Henricks, Kevin Kregel

Back row (L-R): Jean-Jacques Favier, Richard Linnehan, Susan Helms, Charles Brady, Robert Thirsk

Mission patch

Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-78), launched June 20, 1996, studied the effects long-duration spaceflight on the human body, in preparation for International Space Station expeditions.

Its crew consisted of Commander Terence Henricks, Pilot Kevin Kregel, Richard Linnehan, Susan Helms, Charles Brady, Jean-Jacques Favier (CNES) and Robert Thirsk (CSA).

When the Solid Rocket Boosters were recovered, analysis showed damage to field joints, probably caused by hot gases.  There was no action with safety, but it was similar damage that caused Challenger to break apart in 1986.

They returned to Earth July 7.