Roberta Bondar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roberta Bondar
CC OOnt FRCPC FRSC
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Bondar in 1991
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| Born | December 4, 1945 Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
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| Status | Retired |
| Alma mater |
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| Occupation |
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| Space career | |
| NRC/CSA astronaut | |
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Time in space
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8 days, 1 hour, 14 minutes |
| Selection | 1983 NRC Group |
| Missions | STS-42 |
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Mission insignia
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Neurobiology |
| Thesis | Neurofibrillar and neurofilamentous changes in goldfish (Carassius auratus L.) in relation to temperature (1974) |
| Doctoral advisor | Betty Ida Roots |
Roberta Bondar (born December 4, 1945) is a Canadian astronaut and doctor. She was the first Canadian woman to go to space. She was also the first neurologist (a brain doctor) to travel to space.
After her space journey, Roberta led a team at NASA. They studied how space affects the human body. Later, she became a speaker and advisor for science and medical groups.
Roberta Bondar has received many awards. These include the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario. She also got the NASA Space Flight Medal. She has over 28 honorary degrees and a star on Canada's Walk of Fame.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Roberta Bondar was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. Her birthday is December 4, 1945. Her father was from Ukraine and worked for the city. Her mother was from England and was a teacher.
Roberta loved science from a young age. Her father even built a lab in their basement. There, she often did fun experiments. Roberta always dreamed of becoming an astronaut.
She worked very hard in school. She wanted to show that women could do anything. Roberta finished high school in Sault Ste. Marie.
She earned many degrees from different universities:
- A Bachelor of Science in zoology (animal studies) from the University of Guelph (1968).
- A Master of Science in experimental pathology (disease study) from the University of Western Ontario (1971).
- A Doctor of Philosophy in neuroscience (brain science) from the University of Toronto (1974).
- A Doctor of Medicine (MD) from McMaster University (1977).
Before becoming a doctor, she also worked with the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Forestry.
Space Career and Research
Roberta Bondar was one of the first six people chosen for the Canadian Astronaut Corps in 1983. She started her astronaut training in 1984.
In 1992, she was chosen for the first International Microgravity Laboratory Mission (IML-1). This meant she would be a Payload Specialist.
Roberta flew on the NASA Space Shuttle Discovery. This was during Mission STS-42, from January 22 to 30, 1992. On this mission, she did over 40 experiments in the Spacelab. Her work helped NASA understand how low gravity affects the human body. This research helped prepare astronauts for long stays on the space station.
After her time as an astronaut, Bondar led a team at NASA for over ten years. They studied data from astronauts to learn how the body recovers after being in space. Her research also looked at how space travel might relate to diseases like Parkinson's.
Other Interests and Contributions
Roberta Bondar also loves photography. She focuses on taking pictures of nature and the environment. She even studied professional nature photography.
She has written four photo essay books. These books show her amazing photos of Earth. Some of her books are Landscape of Dreams and Touching the Earth.
Roberta was also a certified sky diver and underwater diver. She was even a private pilot!
She has worked as an advisor and speaker for many groups. She shares her knowledge as an astronaut, doctor, scientist, and photographer. She has appeared on TV and radio. She also helped with the movie Destiny in Space.
In 2009, Roberta started The Roberta Bondar Foundation. This group is a charity that works to raise awareness about the environment.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Roberta Bondar has received many awards and honors. These come from universities and organizations across Canada.
She was the first astronaut to get a star on Canada's Walk of Fame. This happened on October 1, 2011, in Toronto.
The Roberta Bondar Park and Tent Pavilion is in her hometown of Sault Ste. Marie. It is named in her honor. Several public schools are also named after her.
Roberta was the Chancellor of Trent University from 2003 to 2009. This is a special leadership role at a university.
In 2017, the Royal Canadian Mint made a special $25 coin. It was called "A View of Canada from Space." This coin celebrated her 25th anniversary of going to space.
In 2018, an observatory was renamed The Dr. Roberta Bondar Northern Observatory. This was done by Thebacha and Wood Buffalo Astronomical Society.
Organizations She Belongs To
Roberta Bondar is a member of many important groups:
| Status | Organization |
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| Fellow | Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada |
| Member | American Academy of Neurology |
| Member | Canadian Neurological Society |
| Member | Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute |
| Member | Canadian Society of Aerospace Medicine |
| Member | College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario |
| Member | Canadian Stroke Society |
| Member | Aerospace Medical Association |
| Member | Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association |
| Member | American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology |
See also
In Spanish: Roberta Bondar para niños
