From November 30 to December 11, 2000,
astronaut Marc Garneau, the first
Canadian to travel to space, was
on his third space mission.
He was part of the STS-97 crew
aboard Shuttle Endeavor.

The STS-97 mission took place from November 30 to December 11, 2000. The launch took place at the Kennedy Space Center with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Marc Garneau on board. This mission, the third of astronaut Garneau, was devoted to the installation of the Station’s solar panels. The Endeavor shuttle was carrying the huge solar panels and batteries for the Station in its hold. Eventually, the ISS will be equipped with four sets of panels that will have a total area of ​​one acre. The Endeavor crew flew three spacewalks to hook up the solar panels. At the end of the mission, the Station will be ready to welcome its first crew.

The members of the STS-97 crew
installed on the Station the
solar panels and the equipment which will ensure the
initial functions of supply and
thermoregulation of the American elements
which will be launched later.