McLane, Stephen Glenwood

After graduating from high school in Nepin (a suburb of Ottawa), he continued his studies at York University in Toronto , where in 1977 he received a bachelor's degree in physics . In parallel with his studies, for two years he worked in administrative positions at the sports department of the university, and in 1976-1977 he was a member of the Canadian gymnastics team . In 1980 - 1983 he taught at York University. In 1983, there he received a Ph.D. in physics.

He worked as a research fellow at Stanford University under the leadership of Arthur Shavlov , a Nobel laureate , an outstanding scientist in the field of laser physics . Stephen MacLane himself is a specialist in laser physics, conducting research on electro-optics, laser fluorescence of particles and crystals, as well as multiphoton laser spectroscopy.

In June 1983, the National Research Council of Canada began its first selection in the astronaut squad in connection with the signing of the US-Canadian agreement on joint space flights on American shuttles . On December 5, 1983, the names of six Canadian astronauts were announced, among which was 28-year-old Stephen MacLane. Since February 1984, he trained at the Space Center. Johnson as a payload specialist .

On December 10, 1985, MacLane’s candidacy was approved as the primary candidate for the STS-71F flight , originally planned for 1987. But after the crash of the Challenger shuttle , the flight was postponed to 1992 and received the designation STS-52 .р

In 1987-1991 , Stephen McLain participated in the development of a computerized monitoring and data exchange system for manipulating the Canadaarm and Canadaarm2 manipulators. At the same time, he was an adviser on the strategic development program in the field of automation and robotization ( 1988 - 1991 ).

In 1989, the Canadian Space Agency was established. Since that time, all Canadian astronauts have become members of the spacecraft astronaut squad.

37-year-old Stephen MacLane made his first space flight on October 27 - November 1, 1992 aboard the Columbia shuttle ( STS-52 ) as a payload specialist . The main objectives of this flight were to launch the US-Italian research satellite LAGEOS II into orbit and conduct work in the microgravity module USMP-1. Among other items on the flight program were experiments with the Canadian CANEX-2 payload, for which Stephen MacLane was responsible.

The flight duration was 9 days 20 h 56 min 13 s.

From 1993 to 1994, S. MacLane served as Director General of the Canadian Astronaut Program. He worked as the chief communications operator with the crew (Capcom) during other space flights.

From 1996 to 1998, he trained at the Space Center. Johnson (together with the American astronauts of the 16th set), after which he received the qualification of a flight specialist.

In 2002, he was assigned to the main crew of the STS-115 mission, in which in the spring of 2003 he was to fly into outer space. But again disaster prevented the plans - this time the shuttle Columbia . The start was postponed for three years.

The second flight of Stephen MacLane took place on September 9-21, 2006 on the Atlantis spacecraft ( STS-115 ). The main objectives of this flight were to deliver the truss into orbit with a set of solar panels and resume the construction of the International Space Station , carry out installation work on its outer surface, and equip the station with equipment and supplies. McLane became the first Canadian to operate the Canadarm2 system and the second Canadian to complete spacewalk after Chris Hadfield . September 13, together with Daniel Burbank, they spent outside the orbital complex 7 hours 11 minutes, installing solar panels at the station.

The duration of the second MacLane flight was 11 days 19 hours 6 minutes 35 seconds.

After completing the second flight, Stephen MacLane was the senior astronaut of the CAC, coordinating the activities of the squad members.

September 1, 2008 appointed President of the Canadian Space Agency.

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• Two NASA medals “For Space Flight” (1992, 2007)

Married to Nadine Vegopolski, three children. He is interested in hiking , canoeing, piloting, parachuting, gymnastics. Lives in the city of Saint-Lambert ( Quebec ).

• Space encyclopedia
• Stephen McLain at the CAC website