GET FIT FOR SPACE CHALLENGE WITH BOB THIRSK EDUCATION (GET FIT FOR SPACE)
Research Area: Educational Activities and Outreach: Cultural Activities
Expedition(s): 19- 22
Principal Investigator(s): ● Robert Thirsk, PhD, Canadian Space Agency, St. Hubert,
Quebec, Canada
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The Get Fit for Space Challenge with Bob Thirsk (Get Fit for Space) invites Canadian citizens to
celebrate the historic mission of Canada’s first Expedition along with crew member Dr Bob
Thirsk and to promote healthy living amongst Canadian citizens by tracking fitness data using a
pedometer, allowing the citizens to interact with Canada’s space program via innovative
multimedia.
EARTH BENEFITS
From an educational perspective, space exploration
missions both inspire students, young and old, and
motivate them to choose advanced studies and careers in
the sciences and engineering. Participants were given the
opportunity to directly contribute to Canada's space
program, while enhancing their own studies and career
prospects.
SPACE BENEFITS
Get Fit for Space allowed crew member, Bob Thirsk, to
introduce the next generation of explorers to the space
environment.
RESULTS
To celebrate Canada's first Expedition mission, the
Canadian Space Agency challenged their citizens to “Get Fit
for Space with Bob Thirsk,” the first Canadian to launch to
the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a Soyuz
spacecraft. Canadian citizens were provided the
opportunity to engage in activities such as running,
walking, cycling, and swimming, as they prepared to blast
off and reach new fitness heights along with Canada’s space program.
Participants signed up for the challenge on the Canadian Space Agency’s website, and received
a “Get Fit for Space” pedometer given away to the first 10,000 people to enroll in the program.
Participants would enter their fitness data on CSA’s website as they “virtually” traveled the 340
km to the ISS.
Dr Thirsk virtually met the participants at the airlock, invited them in, and provided a personal
tour of his off-world home. Over the course of the long-duration mission, participants were
Dr Bob Thirsk together with his son Elliot
is inviting Canadians to take the "Get Fit
for Space" challenge. Canadian Space
Agency image.