This Echo is READ ONLY !   NO Un-Authorized Messages Please!
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Canadian Space Agency

Press Release
**************************************************

Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Dave Williams 
Set for Launch in November 2003

Ottawa, December 12, 2002 - Allan Rock, Minister of Industry and 
Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), today 
announced that Canadian Astronaut Dr. Dave Williams will take part, as 
crewmember, in an historic flight to the International Space Station 
scheduled for launch in November 2003.

The crew of mission STS-118 (13A.1), to which Astronaut Williams is
assigned, will work to bring the International Space Station closer to
completion, adding a truss segment and solar panels. 

"The selection of Doctor Williams for this flight reflects on the 
excellent reputation of our astronaut corps," said Minister Rock. 
"Canadian astronauts, engineers and scientists as well as Canadian 
technology are playing a key role in the construction and use of the 
International Space Station, a unique laboratory where science and 
innovation are contributing to enhancing our quality of life." 

"It is a privilege and an honour to take part in such a prominent 
mission," said Dr. Dave Williams.  "I am particularly pleased with the 
opportunity to perform a spacewalk and to be part of a mission that 
will have an important educational component."  Dave Williams last 
flew in 1998 as Mission Specialist aboard Space Shuttle Columbia. 
During the 16-day flight, called Neurolab, the seven-person crew 
served as both experiment subjects and operators for 26 individual 
life science experiments. 

"The Canadian team of astronauts, including Dave Williams, is playing 
a significant role in the development and promotion of science in our 
country and he is an inspiration for our youth," said Marc Garneau, 
President of the CSA. "Despite the astronauts' heavy training 
schedule, they willingly travel across the country to meet with young 
Canadians to inspire them and show them that with perseverance it is 
possible to reach one's objectives, to fulfill one's dreams."

Dave Williams graduated from McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, with 
a Master of Science from the Physiology Department, a Doctorate of 
Medicine and a Master of Surgery from the Faculty of Medicine. He 
obtained a fellowship in Emergency Medicine from the Royal College of 
Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, following completion of a residency 
in Emergency Medicine at the University of Toronto. He is a Fellow of 
the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and the College of Family 
Physicians of Canada.  He recently returned to active astronaut status 
following a four-year assignment as Director of the NASA Space and 
Life Sciences Directorate at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, 
Texas.

About the Canadian Space Agency
Established in 1989 with its headquarters situated in Saint-Hubert, 
Quebec, the Canadian Space Agency coordinates all aspects of the 
Canadian Space Program. Through its Space Knowledge, Applications and 
Industry Development business line, the CSA delivers services 
involving: Earth and the Environment; Space Science; Human Presence in 
Space; Satellite Communications; Space Technology; Space Qualification 
Services; Space Awareness and Education. The Canadian Space Agency is 
at the forefront of the development and application of space knowledge 
for the benefit of Canadians and humanity.

For more information:
Monique Billette
Senior Media Relations Officer
Canadian Space Agency
(450) 926-4370
(514) 914-5453 (cel.)
Monique.Billette{at}space.gc.ca

Selena Beattie
Press Secretary
Office of Allan Rock
Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001
  
 - End of File -
================

---