Michael Mckay

Michael J. Mckay was selected in the initial round of four Canadian astronauts in 1992, along with Chris Hadfield, Julie Payette, and David Williams. He was an engineer payload specialist, but did not fly as an astronaut.

Education and Academic career[edit]

He has two degrees from Royal Military College, a Bachelor of Science engineering physics (1985), and a Master of Science in electrical and computer engineering (1991). In 2000, he received a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Ottawa.

McKay was employed as a lecturer with the Royal Military College Saint-Jean, teaching courses in Logic Circuit Design and Electronic Instrumentation and Microprocessor Systems Design. Following his retirement, he has taught a graduate level course in Advanced Space Studies in the Mechanical Engineering Department of Carleton University.

Astronaut career[edit]

As one of over 5300 applicants, and a then-Canadian Armed Forces Aeronautical Engineer with the rank of Captain, he was selected in 1992 for Space Team Canada of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). One of the four originals in the Canadian Astronaut Program (CAP). He resigned from the Astronaut Corps in early 1995 for medical reasons, but remained in the employment of CAP as an engineer.

He worked on the Advanced Space Vision System and the robotic arms for the International Space Station, nicknamed Canadarm Shuttle Remote Manipulator System. The first Space Shuttle mission to include his work was the Space Vision System support to the Wake Shield Facility, a free flying payload that was released from Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-60. Shortly thereafter, in February 1994, now-Major McKay was one of four astronauts who participated in the Canadian Astronaut Program Space Unit Life Simulation (CAPSULS), a 7-day simulated space mission which was proceeded by several weeks of intensive training. In early 1995, Major McKay resigned from the Astronaut Corps for medical reasons.

He remained in the employment of CAP as an engineer and was actively involved in mission support activities. He was appointed Project Manager for the Canadian Space Vision System and was the Mission Manager for the STS-85 mission, also Shuttle Discovery. Fellow Canadian Bjarni Tryggvason flew on STS-85 as a Payload Specialist.

In October 1997 he left CSA to return to active military service.

Military career[edit]

Michael Mckay joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1981 and attended Royal Military College in Kingston. He graduated in 1985 with a four-year Bachelor of Science degree. From 1986-1987, he worked as a Software Support Officer with Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta. In 1987, he was named Mechanical Support Officer in command of 145 people and was later appointed to the position of Canadair CF-5 Repair Officer, responsible for the periodic inspection of the Canadair CF-5 fleet, a position which he held until 1991. After completing his postgraduate degree in 1991, also from Royal Military College, Major McKay was a lecturer with the College Militaire de Saint-Jean.

In October 1997, Major McKay left CSA to return to active military service with the Directorate of Space Development within the National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. There he was responsible for the human resource and education development for the Canadian Armed Forces Military Space Programme. A position which allowed him to regularly makes presentations to schools and technical audiences. Michael Mckay retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in 2001.

Scouting experience[edit]

As a youth, Michael Mckay joined Scouting as a Cub in Sackville, New Brunswick. He continued to be involved in Scouting and was an adult volunteer leader with the 17th Southminster Scout Troop in Ottawa. For 18 months from April 2012 to October 2013, Michael assumed the role of Executive Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of Scouts Canada. In this position, he also sat on the Scouts Canada Board of Governors and National Leadership Team.

His hobbies have been reported as flying, gliding, weightlifting, cycling, swimming, sailing, skiing, hiking, photography, reading, chess, astronomy and other leisure pursuits.

References[edit]

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