Book Roberta Bondar

Roberta Bondar is a Canadian astronaut, neurologist and consultant who made history as the first Canadian woman in space and the first neurologist ever to fly there. Selected in 1983 as one of the original six members of the Canadian Astronaut Corps, she began training in 1984 and was later assigned as a payload specialist on the debut International Microgravity Laboratory flight. In January 1992 she flew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-42, carrying out over 40 experiments in the Spacelab. Her research into how low gravity affects the human body helped NASA prepare crews for extended stays on the space station. Afterward she led an international space medicine research team working with NASA for many years, studying how the body recovers after spaceflight, including links to neurological conditions. She is also an accomplished nature photographer. Her honors include the Companion of the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario, the NASA Space Flight Medal, induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in 1998, a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in 2011 and over 28 honorary degrees. Bondar speaks on science, exploration, leadership and discovery.