Norwich Man Shoots For the Stars

Monday, 27 February 2017 06:46

Photo Courtesy Scott VanBommel - Scott VanBommel with the Curiosity Rover double that stayed on Earth at Jet Propulsion Lab in California.

A man from Norwich has made the Canadian Space Agency's recruitment shortlist for August

A man from Norwich is one of 72 applicants in the running for the Canadian Space Agency's 2017 recruitment.

30 year old Scott VanBommel applied for the job last summer. Since then he has completed numerous questionnaires and online tests. He also had to take an aptitude test which analyzed his teamwork skills, mental capabilities, and physical fitness.

VanBommel says although the recruitment process has been suspenseful so far, he wouldn't trade it for the world.

"It's been a lot of fun! It's been exciting and there's been an outpouring of support from family, friends, and colleagues and it's just been an absolute fantastic experience that I want to keep going and I don't want to end."

The agency will be select two finalists to report to Houston Texas this coming August.

VanBommel moved to Norwich the summer before starting Kindergarten at Norwich Public School. He played sports in the community leading up to his graduation from Norwich District High School.

VanBommel tells Heart FM becoming an astronaut is something he has always wanted to do.

"It comprises everything that I look to do and dedicate my life to. Even if you take space out of the equation you're constantly learning, you're always pushing yourself to be the best version of yourself, you're pushing others to be the best version of themselves. You're working hard day in day out for something bigger than yourself and you get to share your experiences and your enthusiasm with young people and potential leaders of tomorrow. That's something that's very enticing and I can't picture a better career in something to dedicate your life to!"

VanBommel is currently a PHD student in the University of Guelph's Physics Department, where he is also a member of the science of operations teams for the Curiosity and Opportunity Mars Rovers. VanBommel works with other grad students and a professor to control Canada's instrument on the Curiosity rover. Every day he assists in planning the day to day operations of the instrument; sending commands, plans the rovers operations, and assesses the data that gets sent back to Earth.