In conversation with Scott VanBommel
Last summer, the Canadian Space Agency announced that they were accepting applications for two highly coveted astronaut positions. Earlier in February, the shortlist of 72 candidates was announced, and amongst them was a University of Guelph PhD physics student, Scott VanBommel.
This call for astronauts was the first since 2009, advertising the potential to work on the International Space Station or on missions to planets such as Mars.
The Ontarion had the opportunity to sit down with VanBommel to discuss his candidacy.
Claudia Idzik: First of all, congratulations. I just wanted to start off by asking how you found out the Canadian Space Agency was hiring candidates?
Scott VanBommel: I was actually in Ottawa when the announcement was made, at a physics conference presenting work that we do here at the University of Guelph. I got a series of emails and text messages all in quick succession saying, “Did you hear? Did you hear?” and, of course, I was at the conference and buried in all the information that I was processing. It was in June of 2016, I believe, that they made the announcement and as soon as I got back from the conference, I started putting my application in.
CI: What made you want to apply?
SVB: It’s something I’ve always wanted to do; always aspired to do. I can’t think of a better career that checks off all the boxes of what I’m looking to do with my life. You can take out space travel from the equation and it’s still an absolute dream career. You’re working hard every day, you’re always learning, you’re pushing yourself to be the best version of yourself, you’re pushing others to be the best version of themselves. You’re working in an international team environment, you get to share your experiences and everything you’re doing with young people all over the world, trying to inspire them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. You get to advance the scientific and human exploration of mankind.
CI: Did you always dream about being an astronaut as a kid?
SVB: Yeah, for sure. It’s funny, because journeys like these often start long before you realize. Even though this is something I’ve always wanted to do, I think I had a pretty normal childhood. I played lots of sports, I played outside with friends—I actually spent a lot of my youth playing hockey.
You might not realize at the time when you’re a young kid, but the habits you develop at a young age both through sports and how you interact with people, homework, and school—those things stick with you for life and prepare you for whatever the future may bring.
Thankfully, at a young age, I had a lot of teammates, coaches, and my parents as well, instill the values in me of hard work, perseverance, and valuing team above all else. I think those are all attributes which translate quite well into an astronaut career.
CI: Is there a specific person who inspired you to become an astronaut?
SVB: It’s hard to narrow down one specific person. My parents have obviously played a big role. I was the type of kid who would ask an annoying amount of questions and they did their best to answer every single one, which nurtured my curiosity. It’s not surprising now that I’ve found myself pursuing my third degree in physics.
At the same time, there have been many teachers along the way—elementary school, secondary school, and especially here at the University of Guelph—that have really pushed me and shown me how exciting studying physics and science can be. I remember coming here to university in first year, and my physics professor really solidified that physics is where I wanted to be. Obviously I wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for my advisor, Dr. Ralf Gellert, and all the opportunities he’s afforded me, and all the knowledge he’s bestowed upon me.
CI: Where were you when you received the news that you were a candidate?
SVB: Well, there have been many cuts along the way. They notify you by email, so I’ve been at various places when I’ve received those notifications. The last one—the big one—when they cut down to 72 and then released all the names and short bios of all the candidates, I was actually in California at CalTech for a Curiosity Rover meeting. I saw the email come in and I quickly stepped out with my supervisor and some colleagues and opened it up with them. It was actually quite special to have them there and have them a part of the experience, because I wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for the opportunities afforded to me by my supervisor, by the Canadian Space Agency, and by working with such fantastic colleagues on the mission.
CI: So was it your advisor who made you stay in Guelph throughout your undergrad, master’s, and PhD?
SVB: No, not at all. It was my choice. I came to Guelph for many reasons and decided to stay here for many of those same reasons. I was fortunate enough in my fourth year to catch on with Dr. Gellert and do some Mars Rover-based research. That project matured into a master’s project and, after completing my master’s, I was offered a PhD position and it was a logical fit to stay here to keep working on the rover missions—and especially because Curiosity had just launched and was about to land as my master’s degree was finishing up and my PhD was about to start.
CI: How do you think your work here and with the Mars Rovers will translate into your potential work in space?
SVB: I was fortunate enough to meet a lot of the other 72 candidates who are applying and everyone brings something a little different to the table. They all have fantastic resumes. I think what stands out with my application is that I’m bringing some wheels on the ground, if you will. From the past five years, looking through the cameras of the rovers, exploring the surface of Mars, and looking at the chemistry that comes back from the instrument that we will work on here at Guelph and through the Canadian Space Agency. Just getting first hand experience exploring the surface of Mars with the Rovers has been a definite asset in my application.
I also bring, as I mentioned earlier, an athletic background as well, as a student-athlete for my entire undergrad and two years of my master’s. I think that supports and strengthens my application just having that balanced background complimenting my experience here that’s very unique at the University of Guelph.
CI: Did the Canadian Space Agency just do a series of aptitude tests for the candidates?
SVB: First was an online exam. That was back in the summer. Since then, there has been a series of tests and questionnaires, a medical exam, and then the 72 candidates went through what the Canadian Space Agency called an “aptitude test” or “a series of aptitude tests.” Those tests were essentially focused on testing our physical fitness, our mental fitness, our teamwork, our problem solving. Basically, it was a barrage of all kinds of tests to expose you to some of the things and test your ability to perform under some of the different scenarios that astronauts might find themselves in.
CI: How did you find the tests?
SVB: They were actually a lot of fun! I wish the testing was a little bit longer. As long as the days were, and as grueling as the physical and mental tasks were, it was a ton of fun with some really fantastic candidates alongside. [They are] definitely memories I’ll have for life and I wish I could’ve stayed there for another three days if they would’ve let us, but time is of the essence, I suppose.
CI: What’s next? Are there more tests to do?
SVB: Right now there are 72 candidates vying for two positions. Sometime between now and when the astronauts report to Houston in August, they’ll have to whittle down from 72 to two candidates. There will be a series of tests between now and then. Not sure exactly when or what they’ll entail, but hopefully I’ll be there to the end.
Photo courtesy of Zac Dykstra