Out of This World 25 (OOTW25)

Dufferin’s Neil Orford Will Lead the “Out of This World 25” Commemorative Project to Mark the 25th Anniversary of Chris Hadfield’s Spacewalk

It’s hard to imagine that 25 years have passed since Canadian Astronaut and Mission Specialist Chris Hadfield stepped from the Shuttle Endeavour on April 22, 2021 to help install the robotic ‘Canadarm 2’ on the International Space Station as part of Mission STS-100. Hadfield became the first Canadian to ‘walk’ in the vacuum of space. Neil Orford, a retired history teacher and owner of CanHist.ca in Orangeville, will lead a two-year Commemorative project entitled “Out of This World 25” (OOTW25). The project is being presented in partnership with McMaster Children and Youth University (MCYU) and several other science and heritage education organizations to commemorate this defining moment in Canadian history.

Other partners include ESRICanada, the Canadian Space Agency, the Canadian Aviation & Space Museum, the Canadian Science & Technology Historical Association & Canadian History Ehx, 

Orford says the Out of This World 25 Commemoration project will connect Chris Hadfield’s April 2001 spacewalk with the highly anticipated spaceflight of Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen aboard Artemis II in April 2026. The anniversary commemoration celebrates not only Hadfield’s achievement, but also the significance of teamwork and communities that led to this spacewalk and shaped the path for a new generation of Canadian astronauts. 

Project Lead at CanHist.ca Neil Orford states: "At its heart, OOTW25 is about 'Science Communication'- how we teach, understand, and talk to one another about science. There has never been a more important time for Canadians to share the stories that shape our scientific history. Artemis II fulfills the latest chapter for Canadians in space yet could never have happened without the ground-breaking achievements of Canadian space research emergent from that successful mission of Col Hadfield’s aboard the NASA Mission STS -100 from 25 years ago."

Orford adds: "Working with the creative team at MCYU, led by Dr. Sandeep Raha at McMaster University, young Canadian learners will be exposed to the most innovative tools and expertise in science, math, the Arts & technology in Canada...and all with an aspirational focus on Space & the Stars!"

Expressing his pleasure on January 23/26 when informing CanHist.ca that the OOTW25 project had been approved for full funding, Federal Minister of Canadian Identity & Culture, Marc Miller said: "I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and the members of your organization the greatest success in {commemorating OOTW25}"

Launching April 1st 2026, Canadians will be able to participate in the free digital commemoration through www.ootw25.ca, and register to bring your families to exciting events at McMaster Children & Youth University (MCYU) beginning in the Fall of 2026.