Key Takeaways
- The Government of Canada has recognized the Canadarm Deployment in Space, 1981 as a national historic event, with a plaque unveiled November 4, 2026 in Ottawa
- The Canadarm first deployed in space in 1981 aboard Space Shuttle Columbia and went on to fly 90 shuttle missions between 1981 and 2011
- Its successor, Canadarm2, is still at work today aboard the International Space Station
Canada's Most Famous Arm Just Made History — Again
It deployed satellites, repaired the Hubble telescope and helped build the International Space Station. Now the Canadarm has a plaque.
The Government of Canada has recognized the Canadarm Deployment in Space, 1981 as a national historic event. A plaque was unveiled on November 4, 2026 at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa.
A Debut Written in Big Letters
The Canadarm first deployed in space in 1981 aboard Space Shuttle Columbia, marked with "Canada" and the Canadian flag for the world to see.
It went on to fly 90 shuttle missions between 1981 and 2011 — deploying and repairing the Hubble telescope and helping assemble the ISS, where Canadarm2 works today.
Wade Grant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, took part in the unveiling on behalf of Minister Julie Dabrusin, alongside the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and CSA representatives.
Designations under Parks Canada's National Program of Historical Commemoration are driven by public nominations — Canadians suggest what deserves to be remembered.
The Twikup Take
Forty-five years after its first flight, the original Canadarm is officially part of Canada's story.
And its successor is still on the job — Canadarm2 is at work on the ISS during today's spacewalk.
Image: AI-generated illustration.