As Canada celebrates the launch of its first astronaut in six years, it’s what’s in his space luggage that’s making headlines.
It’s just one of those questions which need answering – what do astronauts bring with them into space? Photos of their families, books, perhaps even a bit of chocolate?
When asked, astronaut David St-Jacques said that he couldn’t live without his favourite brand of smoked salmon. Apparently he shoved a load in his bag (and in his colleagues too) before take-off from Kazakhstan, according to the Journal De Montreal.
St-Jacques who left the Earth on Monday for a six month stint on board the International Space Station, took off with salmon from the Québec-based Monsieur Émile Smokehouse.
Cathy Poirier, co-owner of the Monsieur Émile smokehouse with Alain Méthot, told the publication that that the astronaut has been a fan of their Monsieur Émile fish for many years. “When he was working in Puvirnituq, in Nord-du-Québec, he met a nurse from Percé who had introduced him to our salmon. Since then, he often asks for more! She even gave it to him when he trained in Houston, ” she said.
“I also know that the whole gang ate salmon the day before takeoff. It’s a little fun, but it’s a great pride and prestige!” added Poirier.
