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Canadian Patch

This emblem commemorates the participation of Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Marc Garneau in the STS-97 Mission, also known as ISS Assembly Mission 4A. In 1984, Marc Garneau became the first Canadian to fly in space and, in 1996, the first Canadian to return to space.

He will also become the first Canadian to go into orbit for a third time when he will fly aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour during mission STS-97 to help assemble the International Space Station.

The International Space Station is being built jointly by Canada, the United States, Russia, Japan and 11 European countries. This participation is particularly well suited to the Canadian Space Agency mandate to promote the peaceful use and development of space, to advance the knowledge of space through science and to ensure that space science and technology provide social and economic benefits for Canadians.

The Canadian emblem for the STS-97 Mission, created by a team that included Philippe Garneau, Marc’s brother, is simple but striking. It evokes the power of teamwork, a concept in which Marc strongly believes. The five hands representing the five crew members grip lightning bolts, which symbolize the mission’s key objective to install solar panels on the Space Station to supply it with electricity.

As Flight Engineer on this mission, Garneau used the Canadarm and the Canadian Space Vision System to lift the solar panels from the Shuttle's cargo bay and move them to where they were secured to the Space Station.

As a Canadian Space Agency astronaut, Marc Garneau is an inspiration for generations of Canadians, a fine example of determination and a native son in whom Canadians may take pride.