Canadian astronaut calls his space adventure ‘astounding’ so far

The International Space Station welcomed three new astronauts on Monday including Canadian David Saint-Jacques.

The 48-year-old engineer, astrophysicist and physician from Quebec City has been a part of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) since 2009.

Saint-Jacques spoke to family on the ground after docking, and said he was completely astounded by everything he has seen and described his first sunrise in space as “breathtaking”.

The hatches opened to the International Space Station at 2:37 p.m. EST today and the Expedition 57 crew expanded to six people. https://t.co/vlj0cOxMOA pic.twitter.com/Z5WiXzuGOT

— Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) December 3, 2018

He is joined by Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko and American astronaut Anne McClain aboard the Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft.

According to the CSA, Saint-Jacques will spend six months on the International Space Station conducting a number of science experiments and operating Canadarm2.

He is the ninth Canadian to travel to space and the third to take part in a long-duration mission.

Liftoff!!!! Go David! 🚀 #DareToExplore

Photo: NASA pic.twitter.com/u62mFfJ8yp

— CanadianSpaceAgency (@csa_asc) December 3, 2018