Canadian Astronaut Says Work on Space Station Sets Stage for Moon, Mars Mission

LONGUEUIL, Que. (CP) – Canadian astronaut Steve MacLean says work now being done on the International Space Station is setting the stage for future trips to the moon and Mars.

In a news conference from on board the space station, MacLean talked about his first-ever spacewalk.

He says his reaction was “Boy, is it ever higher up here.” MacLean adds that he is always filled with awe whether he is inside the station or out in space.

The Ottawa-born astronaut says he hasn’t made any future plans when he returns to Earth.

But, he says everyone with him is intrigued by future plans to go to the moon and Mars.

MacLean says the work now being done is preparing for those future missions, and, he adds, the Canadian Space Agency can play a major role.

MacLean’s wife and three teenage children were together at the agency just south of Montreal as they watched their father talk with reporters.

The Canadian portion of the news conference was briefly interrupted because of a delay caused by switching from one communications satellite to another.