Roberta Bondar – Space: Not Her Final Frontier

Roberta Bondar became Canada’s first woman in space 25 years ago

Space travel holds great fascination for humankind. It’s the subject of countless books – fiction and not, television series, film franchises – and their spoofs, video games, camps and most childhood fantasies.

The fantasy came true for one distinguished Canadian- although her accomplishments include physician, scientific researcher, photographer, author, and environmentalist – Dr. Roberta Bondar is probably best known for 129 revolutions she took around the earth on space shuttle Discovery. The Sault Ste. Marie native became Canada’s first female astronaut, not to mention the first neurologist in space on Jan. 22, 1992.

The former astronaut, who celebrated her 71st birthday on Dec.4, 2016, has she been inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame, the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario, the NASA Space Medal, the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, and she has received over 22 honorary degrees.

Bondar is currently a sought-after speaker, environmental crusader, founder of The Roberta Bondar Foundation as well an accomplished nature and landscape photographer and recent Chancellor, Trent University – it seems that journey into space twenty-five years ago was just the start.