Celebrating Final Launch of the Space Shuttle Program: Minister Paradis and Minister of State Goodyear Highlight Canadian Achievements in Space

ORLANDO, FLORIDA--(Marketwire - July 8, 2011) - The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, and the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), were on site today for the launch of the final flight (STS-135) of Space Shuttle Atlantis, marking the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program.

"Our government is extremely proud of the Canadian Space Agency's outstanding partnership with NASA, and today is a great opportunity to celebrate the efforts and accomplishments of our astronauts, engineers, scientists, astronomers and many others. It is also an important occasion to reflect upon an era of extraordinary achievement in space flight and space exploration," said Minister Paradis. "Canada's contributions to this program, such as the iconic Canadarm, represent the advanced technologies our companies have introduced to the world."

"Generations of Canadians have contributed to the success of the Space Shuttle Program," said Minister of State Goodyear. "This program sent the first Canadian astronauts into space, inspired people of all ages, and brought significant economic benefits to our country."

The Space Shuttle Program began on April 12, 1981, with the first launch, STS-1. Since the beginning of the program, Canada has made significant technological contributions to space exploration through such sophisticated robotics systems as Canadarm, Canadarm2 and Dextre—all of which are critical to the assembly and maintenance of the International Space Station.

Following its debut in November 1981, on the second Space Shuttle flight, STS-2, Canadarm has since become an important symbol of Canadian robotic expertise. It will be retired after 30 years of service to the Space Shuttle Program when flight STS-135 is completed.