Weekly ISS update: Kutryk to become fifth Canadian spacewalker - SpaceQ

LONGUEUIL, QC, Oct. 16, 2026 /CNW/ -- On Tuesday, October 20, at 2:00 pm ET, NASA will preview two upcoming spacewalks in which Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Colonel Joshua Kutryk will participate. Onboard the International Space Station since October 1, Joshua will help complete the installation of new solar arrays and power augmentation upgrades during these spacewalks. This will be Joshua's first spacewalk, and he will be fifth CSA astronaut to venture outside a spacecraft while in orbit. Read more at newswire.ca

NASA astronaut Anil Menon conducts a spacewalk on Aug. 6, 2026, to prepare the International Space Station for future upgrades to its power system. Credit: NASA Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Joshua Kutryk will perform two spacewalks from the International Space Station (ISS) twice in the coming weeks, NASA announced Wednesday, to install the last two of the new solar arrays the station has been adding since 2021.

Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk says his first two weeks aboard the International Space Station have been unforgettable as he adjusts to life in microgravity and begins research into the effects of long-term space travel on the human body. “It’s one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen,” Kutryk said of looking back at Earth from the station. Growing up in northern Alberta, Kutryk was familiar with the northern lights, but he said seeing them from above offered an entirely different perspective.

ScienceIn his first Q&A from the International Space Station, Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk talks about relearning how to sleep, eat and work in space.'It’s important for Canada to be here,' Kutryk says in first interview aboard ISSNicole Mortillaro · CBC News · Posted: Oct 13, 2026 3:18 PM EDT | Last Updated: October 13Listen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results. Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk answers questions from the media while on the International Space Station, on Tuesday. (CSA/NASA)Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk launched to the International Space Station (ISS) 11 days ago for a six-month mission in space. On Tuesday, in his first Q&A with reporters while in space, he said so far, he's "having a blast. "Kutryk said he's still getting used to living in space, and he's having to relearn common skills, like sleeping ("What do you do with your neck when you're sleeping? What do you do with your hands? "), eating and using tools.

Open this photo in gallery:Canadian Astronaut Joshua Kutryk waves as he leaves the Operations and Checkout Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on Thursday. John Raoux/The Associated PressThose who followed the news of Joshua Kutryk’s successful flight to the International Space Station this week can be forgiven for wondering if the Canadian astronaut stepped into a time machine rather than a space capsule. Col. Kutryk, who hails from Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., was one of four astronauts who lifted off on Thursday morning from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and docked with the station later that night. Their arrival marks the start of a busy handoff period during which the population of the station will temporarily be at 11 – four of which will depart some time next week. With astronauts from the United States, Russia, France and Canada currently on board, the image of comity and diversity on the station is certainly what proponents had in mind when construction of the orbiting laboratory began in 1998.