Talk about a higher education. Wednesday, the University of Calgary bestowed an honourary degree on one of its most distinguished alumni, Robert Thirsk accepted the award from the cosmos.
He may be 400 kilometres up in the sky but Robert Thirsk wasn't going to miss his graduation ceremony. "I've been thinking about this event all day today. If I can't be in Calgary, the second best place I can be is space."
Moments later, Thrisk became the first Canadian to receive an honourary degree in space.
He accepted it live from the International Space Station where he has lived for nearly two months.
He even showed off his school colours. One of the few personal items he was able to bring on board. "I've been able to fly the convocation cape from the University of Calgary with me and I've asked a good friend, our astronaut from Japan., to place the cape on my shoulders right now."
The ceremony was six months in the making. That's how long it took to get everyone from the University to NASA to the space station on board.
The U of C says it was worth it.
NASA's satellite link remained open for twenty minutes, enough time for several young science students to ask their own questions and receive some surprising answers. Thirsk revealed the water he was drinking was actually recycled urine and sweat!
Before signing off, Thirsk said he looks forward to celebrating with his former U of C classmates when he returns to earth in the fall.
Thirsk is one of three U of C grads working on this mission. The other two are the space station's deputy surgeon and a mission flight controller, though they're both on the ground.
