OCNews

As astronauts head back to Earth after travelling around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years, a professor at Okanagan College is helping bring the moment closer to home.

Dr. Richard Federley, a chemistry professor at the College, was among the top candidates in the Canadian Space Agency’s most recent astronaut recruitment process. For him, the significance of Artemis II is both scientific and deeply human.

“For me, what stands out about this mission is that for the first time, a Canadian astronaut is travelling beyond low Earth orbit and journeying around the Moon,” said Federley. “That’s something we haven’t seen before.”

The mission, which launched April 1, will see astronauts spend about 10 days in space as they orbit the Moon before returning to Earth.

Federley says the moment reflects a broader story — one rooted in curiosity and shared effort.

“Exploration starts when we’re children, discovering every inch of our backyards and asking questions about how the world works,” he said. “That curiosity doesn’t go away and Space exploration represents the pinnacle of human exploration.”

While astronauts and spacecraft are the most visible part of the mission, Federley emphasizes that space exploration depends on contributions from across society.

“Every one of us plays a part in this,” he said. “There are those directly involved, such as the engineers, scientists and programmers, but it is also the support of all of us in the community that allows humanity to pursue these goals.”

At Okanagan College, that sense of shared effort shows up in the classroom.

Federley says that the culture at the college gives students the opportunity to build meaningful connections with their instructors — something that can shape both their learning and their future. “The environment at the college allows students to experience their learning firsthand, building a foundation not on memorization, but on their personal experiences,” he explained. “It is these experiences that enrich a student’s sense of curiosity and drives a desire to study and explore more.”

“At Okanagan College, students build their foundation in science, math, engineering and technology, and through hands on learning to develop problem-solving skills that supports work in industries like aerospace,” Federley continued. “They can start here and go on to specialize in areas that contribute to space exploration and beyond.”

The college offers programs across science and engineering disciplines, including chemistry, physics, computer science and engineering pathways, all of which connect to the technologies and systems that make missions like Artemis II possible.

And it all starts with curiosity. “The same curiosity that drives us to explore as children can lead to incredible opportunities,” said Federley. “Sometimes, even to the edge of space.”

To learn more about science studies at Okanagan College, visit okanagancollege.ca/science.