so the second most often question I get asked these days is how to become an
asked these days is how to become an
asked these days is how to become an astronaut
astronaut
astronaut the first being how do you pee in space
the first being how do you pee in space
the first being how do you pee in space so the first answer the first one is
so the first answer the first one is
so the first answer the first one is pretty easy the same way you do on on
pretty easy the same way you do on on
pretty easy the same way you do on on earth except when you aim for a big
earth except when you aim for a big
earth except when you aim for a big toilet or a big porcelain bowl you just
toilet or a big porcelain bowl you just
toilet or a big porcelain bowl you just aim for a little cup with some suction
aim for a little cup with some suction
aim for a little cup with some suction on it to get it in and you got to make
on it to get it in and you got to make
on it to get it in and you got to make sure you clean up after yourself it’s
sure you clean up after yourself it’s
sure you clean up after yourself it’s very rude to leave that stuff floating
very rude to leave that stuff floating
very rude to leave that stuff floating around in the space station the second
around in the space station the second
around in the space station the second one I had no idea a year and a half ago
one I had no idea a year and a half ago
one I had no idea a year and a half ago I had no clue how to become an astronaut
I had no clue how to become an astronaut
I had no clue how to become an astronaut I thought it was just like you saw on
I thought it was just like you saw on
I thought it was just like you saw on the Big Bang Theory when NASA calls you
the Big Bang Theory when NASA calls you
the Big Bang Theory when NASA calls you up and says hey we want you to go up to
up and says hey we want you to go up to
up and says hey we want you to go up to space so I just you know went around my
space so I just you know went around my
space so I just you know went around my regular day being prepared in case they
regular day being prepared in case they
regular day being prepared in case they ever called and sure enough last June
ever called and sure enough last June
ever called and sure enough last June they did the Canadian Space Agency put
they did the Canadian Space Agency put
they did the Canadian Space Agency put out a tweet and said they’re hiring two
out a tweet and said they’re hiring two
out a tweet and said they’re hiring two new astronauts and that’s when I knew
new astronauts and that’s when I knew
new astronauts and that’s when I knew how to become an astronaut so this story
how to become an astronaut so this story
how to become an astronaut so this story starts with a medical I was heading into
starts with a medical I was heading into
starts with a medical I was heading into Downsview air airbase for my physical I
Downsview air airbase for my physical I
Downsview air airbase for my physical I was down to the top 100 I had applied
was down to the top 100 I had applied
was down to the top 100 I had applied and spent all summer getting ready I
and spent all summer getting ready I
and spent all summer getting ready I read had fields booked I met Hadfield in
read had fields booked I met Hadfield in
read had fields booked I met Hadfield in person I met Jeremy Hansen and I even
person I met Jeremy Hansen and I even
person I met Jeremy Hansen and I even when listed my uncle to talk to Marc
when listed my uncle to talk to Marc
when listed my uncle to talk to Marc Garneau to try to get some advice none
Garneau to try to get some advice none
Garneau to try to get some advice none of them could help me they were all part
of them could help me they were all part
of them could help me they were all part of the selection committee but I tried
of the selection committee but I tried
of the selection committee but I tried nonetheless so there I am heading into
nonetheless so there I am heading into
nonetheless so there I am heading into the airbase and I see an airman he’s got
the airbase and I see an airman he’s got
the airbase and I see an airman he’s got a pack on his back and he’s got his
a pack on his back and he’s got his
a pack on his back and he’s got his hands filled with gloves and he dropped
hands filled with gloves and he dropped
hands filled with gloves and he dropped his credit card so I bent over and
his credit card so I bent over and
his credit card so I bent over and picked it up and went on my merry way
picked it up and went on my merry way
picked it up and went on my merry way down the hall for for a medical that I
down the hall for for a medical that I
down the hall for for a medical that I had no idea what was gonna happen I
had no idea what was gonna happen I
had no idea what was gonna happen I watched the video from 2009 when they
watched the video from 2009 when they
watched the video from 2009 when they selected the last two astronauts in
selected the last two astronauts in
selected the last two astronauts in Canada and I thought they were gonna put
Canada and I thought they were gonna put
Canada and I thought they were gonna put us through the paces we were gonna get
us through the paces we were gonna get
us through the paces we were gonna get an MRI we were gonna get a CT scan the
an MRI we were gonna get a CT scan the
an MRI we were gonna get a CT scan the whole gambit of it so I was prepared for
whole gambit of it so I was prepared for
whole gambit of it so I was prepared for all of that turned out to be just turn
all of that turned out to be just turn
all of that turned out to be just turn your head and cough take some blood
your head and cough take some blood
your head and cough take some blood check your blood pressure that sort of
check your blood pressure that sort of
check your blood pressure that sort of thing the fun part of the day though was
thing the fun part of the day though was
thing the fun part of the day though was getting to meet some of the other
getting to meet some of the other
getting to meet some of the other candidates there was three has three
candidates there was three has three
candidates there was three has three others there at the same time as me and
others there at the same time as me and
others there at the same time as me and I hadn’t met any of them yet so I had no
I hadn’t met any of them yet so I had no
I hadn’t met any of them yet so I had no idea what the competition was like I
idea what the competition was like I
idea what the competition was like I went home I was very excited but what
went home I was very excited but what
went home I was very excited but what happened I told my wife all about it and
happened I told my wife all about it and
happened I told my wife all about it and she started hurt her smile started to
she started hurt her smile started to
she started hurt her smile started to grow a little bit she said have you
grow a little bit she said have you
grow a little bit she said have you thought of it yet Alex I said no I said
thought of it yet Alex I said no I said
thought of it yet Alex I said no I said what are you talking about
what are you talking about
what are you talking about she goes remember you told me in
she goes remember you told me in
she goes remember you told me in Hatfield’s book it said that you’re
Hatfield’s book it said that you’re
Hatfield’s book it said that you’re always being watched she goes don’t you
always being watched she goes don’t you
always being watched she goes don’t you think one of them was a plant and I
think one of them was a plant and I
think one of them was a plant and I thought about it
thought about it
thought about it I got more and more excited my god
I got more and more excited my god
I got more and more excited my god that’s awesome you know I picked up that
that’s awesome you know I picked up that
that’s awesome you know I picked up that guy’s credit card I shook all their
guy’s credit card I shook all their
guy’s credit card I shook all their hands at the end of the day I wish them
hands at the end of the day I wish them
hands at the end of the day I wish them all luck and hopefully I’d see them in
all luck and hopefully I’d see them in
all luck and hopefully I’d see them in the next rounds to come I don’t think
the next rounds to come I don’t think
the next rounds to come I don’t think any of them was but I wouldn’t put it
any of them was but I wouldn’t put it
any of them was but I wouldn’t put it past the space agency this is selection
past the space agency this is selection
past the space agency this is selection to be an astronaut after all so the next
to be an astronaut after all so the next
to be an astronaut after all so the next few weeks passed excuse me the next few
few weeks passed excuse me the next few
few weeks passed excuse me the next few weeks passed and we’re getting close to
weeks passed and we’re getting close to
weeks passed and we’re getting close to Christmas and we got a note from the
Christmas and we got a note from the
Christmas and we got a note from the space agency that said you know the next
space agency that said you know the next
space agency that said you know the next round is gonna be very physical here’s
round is gonna be very physical here’s
round is gonna be very physical here’s some exercises you might want to do also
some exercises you might want to do also
some exercises you might want to do also here’s what you’re gonna be tested in
here’s what you’re gonna be tested in
here’s what you’re gonna be tested in the pool on so I upped my gym routine I
the pool on so I upped my gym routine I
the pool on so I upped my gym routine I was going every day and I picked up at
was going every day and I picked up at
was going every day and I picked up at the pool and I kept going and practicing
the pool and I kept going and practicing
the pool and I kept going and practicing exactly what they told us to and then
exactly what they told us to and then
exactly what they told us to and then Christmas rolled around and he told us
Christmas rolled around and he told us
Christmas rolled around and he told us just before that we were gonna find out
just before that we were gonna find out
just before that we were gonna find out in late January if we had made the next
in late January if we had made the next
in late January if we had made the next round or not
round or not
round or not so Christmas comes along and my wife and
so Christmas comes along and my wife and
so Christmas comes along and my wife and I were on pins and needles were excited
I were on pins and needles were excited
I were on pins and needles were excited to find out about the next round and
to find out about the next round and
to find out about the next round and then BAM Boxing Day comes and so does my
then BAM Boxing Day comes and so does my
then BAM Boxing Day comes and so does my firstborn son as you can imagine being a
firstborn son as you can imagine being a
firstborn son as you can imagine being a new father there’s only one way or two
new father there’s only one way or two
new father there’s only one way or two ways sorry I could sleep one if he was
ways sorry I could sleep one if he was
ways sorry I could sleep one if he was on top of me or or two if he was with my
on top of me or or two if he was with my
on top of me or or two if he was with my wife other than that I was checking the
wife other than that I was checking the
wife other than that I was checking the crib every three minutes to make sure
crib every three minutes to make sure
crib every three minutes to make sure he’s safe and breathing that doesn’t go
he’s safe and breathing that doesn’t go
he’s safe and breathing that doesn’t go so well with training every day going to
so well with training every day going to
so well with training every day going to the gym every day didn’t happen for the
the gym every day didn’t happen for the
the gym every day didn’t happen for the month of January but it was okay I’d
month of January but it was okay I’d
month of January but it was okay I’d prepared for that we knew he was coming
prepared for that we knew he was coming
prepared for that we knew he was coming and I went to the gym a lot beforehand
and I went to the gym a lot beforehand
and I went to the gym a lot beforehand so that I could miss a few weeks and
so that I could miss a few weeks and
so that I could miss a few weeks and sure enough I got the call from the
sure enough I got the call from the
sure enough I got the call from the space agency congratulations Alex here
space agency congratulations Alex here
space agency congratulations Alex here in the top seventy-two pack your bags
in the top seventy-two pack your bags
in the top seventy-two pack your bags you’re going to come back so off I went
you’re going to come back so off I went
you’re going to come back so off I went to Quebec we went we were there for both
to Quebec we went we were there for both
to Quebec we went we were there for both three four days and we were tested from
three four days and we were tested from
three four days and we were tested from 6:00 a.m. in the morning until about
6:00 a.m. in the morning until about
6:00 a.m. in the morning until about 10:00 o’clock at night they’d pick us up
10:00 o’clock at night they’d pick us up
10:00 o’clock at night they’d pick us up we were staying in the army barracks
we were staying in the army barracks
we were staying in the army barracks where they do the basic training for the
where they do the basic training for the
where they do the basic training for the Canadian Forces we were tested on
Canadian Forces we were tested on
Canadian Forces we were tested on everything we did the beep test so we
everything we did the beep test so we
everything we did the beep test so we run from that point to that point within
run from that point to that point within
run from that point to that point within the beeps and then the beat goes again
the beeps and then the beat goes again
the beeps and then the beat goes again you have to run back and the beeps get
you have to run back and the beeps get
you have to run back and the beeps get closer and closer until you can’t make
closer and closer until you can’t make
closer and closer until you can’t make it anymore
it anymore
it anymore I made it to about level 10 I think it
I made it to about level 10 I think it
I made it to about level 10 I think it was in training at home I could make it
was in training at home I could make it
was in training at home I could make it to about 11 and 12 so I was a little
to about 11 and 12 so I was a little
to about 11 and 12 so I was a little ticked at myself for not doing so well
ticked at myself for not doing so well
ticked at myself for not doing so well but that was all right
but that was all right
but that was all right I came out of with a big smile on my
I came out of with a big smile on my
I came out of with a big smile on my face my favorite was the swimming run or
face my favorite was the swimming run or
face my favorite was the swimming run or swim 250 meters in under 10 minutes
swim 250 meters in under 10 minutes
swim 250 meters in under 10 minutes tread water for 10 minutes and then swim
tread water for 10 minutes and then swim
tread water for 10 minutes and then swim 15 meters underwater I aced it no
15 meters underwater I aced it no
15 meters underwater I aced it no problem I was a little slower than I
problem I was a little slower than I
problem I was a little slower than I wasn’t practiced but then again in
wasn’t practiced but then again in
wasn’t practiced but then again in practice that was all I did that day
practice that was all I did that day
practice that was all I did that day prior to swimming I had done a minute a
prior to swimming I had done a minute a
prior to swimming I had done a minute a minute of clean so you pick up a sandbag
minute of clean so you pick up a sandbag
minute of clean so you pick up a sandbag as fast as he can and drop it as fast as
as fast as he can and drop it as fast as
as fast as he can and drop it as fast as you can and then I had to drag stuff I
you can and then I had to drag stuff I
you can and then I had to drag stuff I had to pick the other things up I had to
had to pick the other things up I had to
had to pick the other things up I had to do a hand cycle so it’s pretty tired
do a hand cycle so it’s pretty tired
do a hand cycle so it’s pretty tired going into the pool one of the memories
going into the pool one of the memories
going into the pool one of the memories I have though that I really enjoyed was
I have though that I really enjoyed was
I have though that I really enjoyed was after the pool we were sitting on the on
after the pool we were sitting on the on
after the pool we were sitting on the on the bench while other people were
the bench while other people were
the bench while other people were participating you know sitting next to
participating you know sitting next to
participating you know sitting next to one of the other candidates and he was a
one of the other candidates and he was a
one of the other candidates and he was a little his little down so I said he want
little his little down so I said he want
little his little down so I said he want to say what’s going on he said oh I
to say what’s going on he said oh I
to say what’s going on he said oh I didn’t do so well and I looked at him I
didn’t do so well and I looked at him I
didn’t do so well and I looked at him I said do you realize where you are and he
said do you realize where you are and he
said do you realize where you are and he kind of looked at me I said you’re an
kind of looked at me I said you’re an
kind of looked at me I said you’re an astronaut tryouts no matter how you do
astronaut tryouts no matter how you do
astronaut tryouts no matter how you do here you made it to astronaut tryouts
here you made it to astronaut tryouts
here you made it to astronaut tryouts and so he got a little excited and
and so he got a little excited and
and so he got a little excited and pumped himself up and he was pretty good
pumped himself up and he was pretty good
pumped himself up and he was pretty good the rest of the week we got to work
the rest of the week we got to work
the rest of the week we got to work together and a few different things make
together and a few different things make
together and a few different things make some videos and we were still friends to
some videos and we were still friends to
some videos and we were still friends to this day so that was the round of 72 as
this day so that was the round of 72 as
this day so that was the round of 72 as I said we were in Quebec we stayed in
I said we were in Quebec we stayed in
I said we were in Quebec we stayed in the in the army barracks and then they
the in the army barracks and then they
the in the army barracks and then they sent us home and they told us how many
sent us home and they told us how many
sent us home and they told us how many people they were gonna select the next
people they were gonna select the next
people they were gonna select the next time but they said that’s the maximum
time but they said that’s the maximum
time but they said that’s the maximum we’re gonna select we’re really only
we’re gonna select we’re really only
we’re gonna select we’re really only pursuing the people that we think we
pursuing the people that we think we
pursuing the people that we think we will hire for the job so I went home and
will hire for the job so I went home and
will hire for the job so I went home and I knew the next round was gonna be
I knew the next round was gonna be
I knew the next round was gonna be survival training
survival training
survival training I knew this because I watched the videos
I knew this because I watched the videos
I knew this because I watched the videos from last time and I got to talk to some
from last time and I got to talk to some
from last time and I got to talk to some of the guys who had been there last time
of the guys who had been there last time
of the guys who had been there last time they were in my group in Quebec so I
they were in my group in Quebec so I
they were in my group in Quebec so I convinced the Milton Fire Department to
convinced the Milton Fire Department to
convinced the Milton Fire Department to put me through some training so they
put me through some training so they
put me through some training so they took me up to the fire hall and set up
took me up to the fire hall and set up
took me up to the fire hall and set up three different scenarios for me on
three different scenarios for me on
three different scenarios for me on three different evenings the first being
three different evenings the first being
three different evenings the first being a confined space rescue scenario the
a confined space rescue scenario the
a confined space rescue scenario the second being a chemical spill rescue
second being a chemical spill rescue
second being a chemical spill rescue scenario and the third being rope ascent
scenario and the third being rope ascent
scenario and the third being rope ascent and descent rescue scenario my favorite
and descent rescue scenario my favorite
and descent rescue scenario my favorite one was the first one because you go in
one was the first one because you go in
one was the first one because you go in this little box you’re wearing all of
this little box you’re wearing all of
this little box you’re wearing all of the bunker gear you got your your heart
the bunker gear you got your your heart
the bunker gear you got your your heart your helmet on and your scuba gear on in
your helmet on and your scuba gear on in
your helmet on and your scuba gear on in the back and everything and the box you
the back and everything and the box you
the back and everything and the box you don’t fit in it but you’ve got to go you
don’t fit in it but you’ve got to go you
don’t fit in it but you’ve got to go you got to get there they’re yelling they’re
got to get there they’re yelling they’re
got to get there they’re yelling they’re screaming out you get in there – Laurie
screaming out you get in there – Laurie
screaming out you get in there – Laurie you got to save the person get in there
you got to save the person get in there
you got to save the person get in there get in
get in
get in there and you put your head in and you
there and you put your head in and you
there and you put your head in and you don’t fit and all you can feel is the
don’t fit and all you can feel is the
don’t fit and all you can feel is the room getting tighter and tighter so I
room getting tighter and tighter so I
room getting tighter and tighter so I kneeled back up I said I can’t fit I
kneeled back up I said I can’t fit I
kneeled back up I said I can’t fit I can’t fit they said what do you do to
can’t fit they said what do you do to
can’t fit they said what do you do to fit so I took off the scuba threw it
fit so I took off the scuba threw it
fit so I took off the scuba threw it through when I went through no problem
through when I went through no problem
through when I went through no problem turns out that helped me a little bit
turns out that helped me a little bit
turns out that helped me a little bit when I was called to the round of 32 and
when I was called to the round of 32 and
when I was called to the round of 32 and we went off to Halifax for survival
we went off to Halifax for survival
we went off to Halifax for survival training their survival testing I should
training their survival testing I should
training their survival testing I should say telefax was a bit shorter we only
say telefax was a bit shorter we only
say telefax was a bit shorter we only stayed there for two and a half days we
stayed there for two and a half days we
stayed there for two and a half days we got to stay on the HMCS Kingston which
got to stay on the HMCS Kingston which
got to stay on the HMCS Kingston which is pretty cool you’re in a bunker with
is pretty cool you’re in a bunker with
is pretty cool you’re in a bunker with three other men the rooms about the size
three other men the rooms about the size
three other men the rooms about the size of this carpet so you take your turns
of this carpet so you take your turns
of this carpet so you take your turns getting changed and all that good stuff
getting changed and all that good stuff
getting changed and all that good stuff so the first day was survival training
so the first day was survival training
so the first day was survival training with fire and water they threw you in a
with fire and water they threw you in a
with fire and water they threw you in a room the room was on fire put out the
room the room was on fire put out the
room the room was on fire put out the fires they threw in a room there was
fires they threw in a room there was
fires they threw in a room there was giant gaping holes in the wall tried to
giant gaping holes in the wall tried to
giant gaping holes in the wall tried to plug the holes if you’re in another room
plug the holes if you’re in another room
plug the holes if you’re in another room there’s another fire put out the fire
there’s another fire put out the fire
there’s another fire put out the fire the theory in another room and the water
the theory in another room and the water
the theory in another room and the water is leaking from the ceiling pipes eight
is leaking from the ceiling pipes eight
is leaking from the ceiling pipes eight inch pipes of course this water’s from
inch pipes of course this water’s from
inch pipes of course this water’s from the harbor and hellofax in April so it’s
the harbor and hellofax in April so it’s
the harbor and hellofax in April so it’s not exactly warm and they’re just
not exactly warm and they’re just
not exactly warm and they’re just testing you to see how you do
testing you to see how you do
testing you to see how you do you know they want to see how you react
you know they want to see how you react
you know they want to see how you react you can’t actually put out the fires you
you can’t actually put out the fires you
you can’t actually put out the fires you can’t actually plug the holes but they
can’t actually plug the holes but they
can’t actually plug the holes but they want to make sure that you can work with
want to make sure that you can work with
want to make sure that you can work with the people you’re in there with and that
the people you’re in there with and that
the people you’re in there with and that in a stressful situation you don’t just
in a stressful situation you don’t just
in a stressful situation you don’t just break down the next day was fun as well
break down the next day was fun as well
break down the next day was fun as well it was my favorite actually it started
it was my favorite actually it started
it was my favorite actually it started off with walk off this plank about 8
off with walk off this plank about 8
off with walk off this plank about 8 meters fall into the simulated ocean
meters fall into the simulated ocean
meters fall into the simulated ocean that has about 4 feet high waves swim
that has about 4 feet high waves swim
that has about 4 feet high waves swim around the buoys and get in the lifeboat
around the buoys and get in the lifeboat
around the buoys and get in the lifeboat so I was all excited you go in one at a
so I was all excited you go in one at a
so I was all excited you go in one at a time and I get to the door I know I’m up
time and I get to the door I know I’m up
time and I get to the door I know I’m up next like alright Delory you’re in so I
next like alright Delory you’re in so I
next like alright Delory you’re in so I walked in turn left and kept on walking
walked in turn left and kept on walking
walked in turn left and kept on walking straight past the ladder and then
straight past the ladder and then
straight past the ladder and then somebody comes and grabs me and said
somebody comes and grabs me and said
somebody comes and grabs me and said Alex here you went the wrong way go up
Alex here you went the wrong way go up
Alex here you went the wrong way go up here so I’m climbing up and there’s the
here so I’m climbing up and there’s the
here so I’m climbing up and there’s the lead instructor I get up there he goes
lead instructor I get up there he goes
lead instructor I get up there he goes Alex do you not want to do this I said
Alex do you not want to do this I said
Alex do you not want to do this I said no this is what I’ve been waiting for so
no this is what I’ve been waiting for so
no this is what I’ve been waiting for so he stands there and he says ok when I
he stands there and he says ok when I
he stands there and he says ok when I say go you go and I’m standing here and
say go you go and I’m standing here and
say go you go and I’m standing here and he’s standing here with the whistle the
he’s standing here with the whistle the
he’s standing here with the whistle the timer sorry he goes steady steady steady
timer sorry he goes steady steady steady
timer sorry he goes steady steady steady and I just say go and he finally says
and I just say go and he finally says
and I just say go and he finally says going off I go and I swim around the
going off I go and I swim around the
going off I go and I swim around the buoys and I get in
buoys and I get in
buoys and I get in the lifeboat no problem at all and then
the lifeboat no problem at all and then
the lifeboat no problem at all and then we went through another few scenarios
we went through another few scenarios
we went through another few scenarios with a mock-up helicopter where they
with a mock-up helicopter where they
with a mock-up helicopter where they turned it into a mock-up spaceship
turned it into a mock-up spaceship
turned it into a mock-up spaceship dropped it down everybody has a role and
dropped it down everybody has a role and
dropped it down everybody has a role and you have to get out safely that was a
you have to get out safely that was a
you have to get out safely that was a lot of fun and I actually got to work
lot of fun and I actually got to work
lot of fun and I actually got to work with Josh who actually selected as one
with Josh who actually selected as one
with Josh who actually selected as one of the candidates next to astronauts so
of the candidates next to astronauts so
of the candidates next to astronauts so it was really cool for that and he it’s
it was really cool for that and he it’s
it was really cool for that and he it’s also an ex Canadian Air he’s current
also an ex Canadian Air he’s current
also an ex Canadian Air he’s current Canadian fighter pilot so he’s kind of
Canadian fighter pilot so he’s kind of
Canadian fighter pilot so he’s kind of the dream guy for me too so we go
the dream guy for me too so we go
the dream guy for me too so we go through all that all day with a couple
through all that all day with a couple
through all that all day with a couple other tests and dexterity tests and
other tests and dexterity tests and
other tests and dexterity tests and things like that and then came the big
things like that and then came the big
things like that and then came the big one at the end of the day getting the
one at the end of the day getting the
one at the end of the day getting the the mock-up helicopter the guys are in
the mock-up helicopter the guys are in
the mock-up helicopter the guys are in front explaining what’s gonna happen you
front explaining what’s gonna happen you
front explaining what’s gonna happen you just twist your seatbelt like this and
just twist your seatbelt like this and
just twist your seatbelt like this and you pop out okay good
you pop out okay good
you pop out okay good drop flip under get out as fast as you
drop flip under get out as fast as you
drop flip under get out as fast as you can and I knew I heard this was gonna
can and I knew I heard this was gonna
can and I knew I heard this was gonna come because of the video they had from
come because of the video they had from
come because of the video they had from 2009 and I was so excited for it and
2009 and I was so excited for it and
2009 and I was so excited for it and they go in and then I popped out and
they go in and then I popped out and
they go in and then I popped out and then they take me to the back room for
then they take me to the back room for
then they take me to the back room for the post interview they said how did you
the post interview they said how did you
the post interview they said how did you like that Alex I said actually I’m
like that Alex I said actually I’m
like that Alex I said actually I’m disappointed they said why I go was only
disappointed they said why I go was only
disappointed they said why I go was only six seconds I wanted it to be like 30
six seconds I wanted it to be like 30
six seconds I wanted it to be like 30 seconds it really wasn’t that that
seconds it really wasn’t that that
seconds it really wasn’t that that challenging for the people for the
challenging for the people for the
challenging for the people for the people in the room but you know we had
people in the room but you know we had
people in the room but you know we had all prepared and trained for that type
all prepared and trained for that type
all prepared and trained for that type of stuff so at the end of hellofax we
of stuff so at the end of hellofax we
of stuff so at the end of hellofax we got we had our post to exit or pre exit
got we had our post to exit or pre exit
got we had our post to exit or pre exit interview with it with the team and they
interview with it with the team and they
interview with it with the team and they explained we can take a maximum of 20
explained we can take a maximum of 20
explained we can take a maximum of 20 people to the next round
people to the next round
people to the next round okay good so we go home and we wait we
okay good so we go home and we wait we
okay good so we go home and we wait we wait and in this one I knew that they
wait and in this one I knew that they
wait and in this one I knew that they were going to do some presentations with
were going to do some presentations with
were going to do some presentations with some grade 6 classes so I called all my
some grade 6 classes so I called all my
some grade 6 classes so I called all my teacher friends I got all the advice I
teacher friends I got all the advice I
teacher friends I got all the advice I could and I went and went to a high
could and I went and went to a high
could and I went and went to a high school I went to a couple grade six
school I went to a couple grade six
school I went to a couple grade six classes I did some Sparks and some Cubs
classes I did some Sparks and some Cubs
classes I did some Sparks and some Cubs talks everything I could do to to try to
talks everything I could do to to try to
talks everything I could do to to try to experience all the weird questions that
experience all the weird questions that
experience all the weird questions that these kids would ask like how do you pee
these kids would ask like how do you pee
these kids would ask like how do you pee in space so then I get the call Alex
in space so then I get the call Alex
in space so then I get the call Alex come on to Montreal for the for the
come on to Montreal for the for the
come on to Montreal for the for the final round so I was like alright great
final round so I was like alright great
final round so I was like alright great so we show up and we’re all there before
so we show up and we’re all there before
so we show up and we’re all there before and we’re getting to know each other
and we’re getting to know each other
and we’re getting to know each other pretty good now you know we spent spent
pretty good now you know we spent spent
pretty good now you know we spent spent time together and so we’re chatting and
time together and so we’re chatting and
time together and so we’re chatting and chatting we’re adding up the numbers
chatting we’re adding up the numbers
chatting we’re adding up the numbers talking about who’s there and we
talking about who’s there and we
talking about who’s there and we realized there’s not there’s not 20 like
realized there’s not there’s not 20 like
realized there’s not there’s not 20 like they had told us the maximum could be
they had told us the maximum could be
they had told us the maximum could be that they only brought 17 which really
that they only brought 17 which really
that they only brought 17 which really struck home
struck home
struck home I mean it’s getting serious because
I mean it’s getting serious because
I mean it’s getting serious because they’ve been saying all along we’re only
they’ve been saying all along we’re only
they’ve been saying all along we’re only bringing the ones that we think we can
bringing the ones that we think we can
bringing the ones that we think we can we can hire and so a meant they weren’t
we can hire and so a meant they weren’t
we can hire and so a meant they weren’t just dragging people along for the fun
just dragging people along for the fun
just dragging people along for the fun of it it meant I could be an astronaut
of it it meant I could be an astronaut
of it it meant I could be an astronaut so Montreal wasn’t as exciting you know
so Montreal wasn’t as exciting you know
so Montreal wasn’t as exciting you know the good part about it was that we got
the good part about it was that we got
the good part about it was that we got to spend more time as candidates
to spend more time as candidates
to spend more time as candidates together get to know each each and
together get to know each each and
together get to know each each and everyone quite a little bit better the
everyone quite a little bit better the
everyone quite a little bit better the cruel part that they did though was they
cruel part that they did though was they
cruel part that they did though was they sized us all up for the jumpsuits
sized us all up for the jumpsuits
sized us all up for the jumpsuits so there’s 15 of us now that have our
so there’s 15 of us now that have our
so there’s 15 of us now that have our dimensions for the jumpsuit to go up in
dimensions for the jumpsuit to go up in
dimensions for the jumpsuit to go up in the Soyuz that don’t get to wear it yet
the Soyuz that don’t get to wear it yet
the Soyuz that don’t get to wear it yet at the end of it we all went home and we
at the end of it we all went home and we
at the end of it we all went home and we knew there was one more week actually to
knew there was one more week actually to
knew there was one more week actually to come the medical so we’re all chatting
come the medical so we’re all chatting
come the medical so we’re all chatting back and forth to see if they were gonna
back and forth to see if they were gonna
back and forth to see if they were gonna bring all 17 of us back or not we have
bring all 17 of us back or not we have
bring all 17 of us back or not we have no idea what they’re actually gonna do
no idea what they’re actually gonna do
no idea what they’re actually gonna do and sure enough they invited all 17 us
and sure enough they invited all 17 us
and sure enough they invited all 17 us back to Toronto for a week in the
back to Toronto for a week in the
back to Toronto for a week in the medical and this was the scary week and
medical and this was the scary week and
medical and this was the scary week and I said this to everybody I said you know
I said this to everybody I said you know
I said this to everybody I said you know I’m nervous of this one why Alex why I
I’m nervous of this one why Alex why I
I’m nervous of this one why Alex why I said because you don’t know what you
said because you don’t know what you
said because you don’t know what you don’t know I’ve never had an MRI I’ve
don’t know I’ve never had an MRI I’ve
don’t know I’ve never had an MRI I’ve never had a CT all that good stuff and
never had a CT all that good stuff and
never had a CT all that good stuff and I’ve heard all the horror stories last
I’ve heard all the horror stories last
I’ve heard all the horror stories last time they selected some the astronauts
time they selected some the astronauts
time they selected some the astronauts somebody had a golf-ball-sized tumor in
somebody had a golf-ball-sized tumor in
somebody had a golf-ball-sized tumor in his head and they found it and saved his
his head and they found it and saved his
his head and they found it and saved his life but that meant he couldn’t be an
life but that meant he couldn’t be an
life but that meant he couldn’t be an astronaut other small issues like your
astronaut other small issues like your
astronaut other small issues like your cataracts or your veins and your eyes
cataracts or your veins and your eyes
cataracts or your veins and your eyes are too small washed people out so
are too small washed people out so
are too small washed people out so obviously I was nervous for this there
obviously I was nervous for this there
obviously I was nervous for this there was nothing I could do much at this
was nothing I could do much at this
was nothing I could do much at this point I’m just a little over 30 now all
point I’m just a little over 30 now all
point I’m just a little over 30 now all my life is going to accumulate they’re
my life is going to accumulate they’re
my life is going to accumulate they’re gonna find whatever they find so we
gonna find whatever they find so we
gonna find whatever they find so we spent the week there the very first day
spent the week there the very first day
spent the week there the very first day that we were there I had a holter on to
that we were there I had a holter on to
that we were there I had a holter on to to monitor my heart for 24 hours and of
to monitor my heart for 24 hours and of
to monitor my heart for 24 hours and of course that’s the day they haul us all
course that’s the day they haul us all
course that’s the day they haul us all out in front of the press make us stand
out in front of the press make us stand
out in front of the press make us stand up there and try not to look nervous and
up there and try not to look nervous and
up there and try not to look nervous and then they’d haul us all off into
then they’d haul us all off into
then they’d haul us all off into individual interviews with the press and
individual interviews with the press and
individual interviews with the press and things like that so I can just imagine
things like that so I can just imagine
things like that so I can just imagine what my what my holter was telling them
what my what my holter was telling them
what my what my holter was telling them that right that day they were in the
that right that day they were in the
that right that day they were in the gambit that week from MRIs on your head
gambit that week from MRIs on your head
gambit that week from MRIs on your head CT scan on your chest abdominal
CT scan on your chest abdominal
CT scan on your chest abdominal ultrasounds they did echo Doppler psych
ultrasounds they did echo Doppler psych
ultrasounds they did echo Doppler psych evaluations all that good stuff head to
evaluations all that good stuff head to
evaluations all that good stuff head to toe I can tell you for a fact right now
toe I can tell you for a fact right now
toe I can tell you for a fact right now I’m not gonna
I’m not gonna
I’m not gonna for the next two years of natural causes
for the next two years of natural causes
for the next two years of natural causes but my journey this journey ended I
but my journey this journey ended I
but my journey this journey ended I guess with a meeting there was six world
guess with a meeting there was six world
guess with a meeting there was six world class flight surgeons I got called in we
class flight surgeons I got called in we
class flight surgeons I got called in we were all sitting in a room waiting for
were all sitting in a room waiting for
were all sitting in a room waiting for waiting for our chance to go and they
waiting for our chance to go and they
waiting for our chance to go and they called us alphabetically so I got called
called us alphabetically so I got called
called us alphabetically so I got called in and they cut right to it
in and they cut right to it
in and they cut right to it they said Alex we think we saw a kidney
they said Alex we think we saw a kidney
they said Alex we think we saw a kidney stone we think we’re sorry we did see a
stone we think we’re sorry we did see a
stone we think we’re sorry we did see a small tumor on your left parotid gland
small tumor on your left parotid gland
small tumor on your left parotid gland unfortunately you’re out and you should
unfortunately you’re out and you should
unfortunately you’re out and you should go seek some medical advice obviously I
go seek some medical advice obviously I
go seek some medical advice obviously I was devastated I spent a year and a half
was devastated I spent a year and a half
was devastated I spent a year and a half my wife was invested my friends were
my wife was invested my friends were
my wife was invested my friends were invested the communities behind me they
invested the communities behind me they
invested the communities behind me they were all invested I was upset
were all invested I was upset
were all invested I was upset however I was excited I got so far in so
however I was excited I got so far in so
however I was excited I got so far in so close and I’ve got two friends now that
close and I’ve got two friends now that
close and I’ve got two friends now that I can call they’re sorry I have two
I can call they’re sorry I have two
I can call they’re sorry I have two astronauts now that I called very close
astronauts now that I called very close
astronauts now that I called very close friends and we keep in contact still
friends and we keep in contact still
friends and we keep in contact still every day since then I’ve had the CT
every day since then I’ve had the CT
every day since then I’ve had the CT scans I’ve had the ultrasounds and
scans I’ve had the ultrasounds and
scans I’ve had the ultrasounds and things like that done I have no kidney
things like that done I have no kidney
things like that done I have no kidney stones so that’s no problem and the
stones so that’s no problem and the
stones so that’s no problem and the small lump that they found is benign so
small lump that they found is benign so
small lump that they found is benign so I’m gonna get that nipped out and next
I’m gonna get that nipped out and next
I’m gonna get that nipped out and next time they they call for astronauts guess
time they they call for astronauts guess
time they they call for astronauts guess whose name’s gonna be first on list it’s
whose name’s gonna be first on list it’s
whose name’s gonna be first on list it’s been a year of lessons you know it was a
been a year of lessons you know it was a
been a year of lessons you know it was a lot of fun I had no idea what I was
lot of fun I had no idea what I was
lot of fun I had no idea what I was getting into at the start and I still
getting into at the start and I still
getting into at the start and I still don’t know where I’m going at the end
don’t know where I’m going at the end
don’t know where I’m going at the end but every day I wake up I try to be a
but every day I wake up I try to be a
but every day I wake up I try to be a better father than I was yesterday try
better father than I was yesterday try
better father than I was yesterday try to be a better husband than I was
to be a better husband than I was
to be a better husband than I was yesterday and I work on my new goals
yesterday and I work on my new goals
yesterday and I work on my new goals which are what can I do to be a better
which are what can I do to be a better
which are what can I do to be a better astronaut next time they call them so
astronaut next time they call them so
astronaut next time they call them so thank you very much for having me I hope
thank you very much for having me I hope
thank you very much for having me I hope everybody takes a lesson of you know be
everybody takes a lesson of you know be
everybody takes a lesson of you know be prepared of today for today for what
prepared of today for today for what
prepared of today for today for what could happen tomorrow and chase your
could happen tomorrow and chase your
could happen tomorrow and chase your dream dreams wherever they take you
dream dreams wherever they take you
dream dreams wherever they take you [Applause]
”
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