Jameel Janjua "This is how we get to Mach 3”

Jameel Janjua made it to the bitter end in a Canadian government astronaut selection in 2009, but wasn't chosen. He found a different path to space through Virgin Galactic

- Elizabeth Howell

BIO

JAMEEL JANJUA

Janjua is from Calgary, Canada, and enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets while still a teenager. He got his flying licence at 16 years old. He simultaneously enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and Canada's Royal Military College, earning an undergraduate degroo in chemical and materials engineering. He then won a scholarship to go to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, earning a master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics.

Next assigned to pilot training, Janjua flew the CF-18 Hornet out of 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron in Bagotville, Quebec, and became a fighter weapons instructor. He was selected for an exchange with the UK Royal Air Force for three years, flying the Tornado GR4. Janjua also deployed on overseas combat operations for NATO and efforts for the United Nations.

After being selected to go to Edwards Air Force Base in California, Janjua graduated and remained as an RCAF exchange officer with the US Air Force. He became a test pilot on the F-16, doing advanced flight control research on aspects of the ground collision avoidance system. He retired from RCAF, remaining at Edwards as a civilian.

Did you ever apply to be a Canadian Space Agency astronaut?

I applied twice. In 2009, it was the first recruitment they had done since 1992 - that's 17 years. I was there right up to the bitter end. There were four people left for two spots: David Saint-Jacques, Jeremy Hansen, Joshua Kutryk and me. Josh and I obviously weren't selected on that campaign. Then I played again in 2016. Josh was selected, thankfully, with Jenni Gibbons. And then I got to go over to Virgin Galactic in October 2020.