Two Canadian astronauts to fly in space by 2024

Industry Minister James Moore, flanked by Canadian astronauts Jeremy Hansen (left) and David Saint-Jacques (right), announces Canada's commitment to fly two Canadian astronauts to space by 2024 during a news conference in Ottawa on Tuesday June 2, 2015. (Fred Chartrand / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

OTTAWA -- Canada's two astronauts will finally get their chance to visit the International Space Station.

Industry Minister James Moore announced Tuesday that Jeremy Hansen and David Saint-Jacques will both fly in space by 2024.

"Building on the legacy of success of Col. Chris Hadfield as commander of the International Space Station, Canada will be sending two more astronauts into space," Moore told the House of Commons.

Moore said the government has invested the necessary funds to extend its involvement in the station until 2024, ensuring the Canadian astronauts will take part in missions.

One Canadian will fly by 2019 and the other by 2024.

Who goes first hasn't been determined: it will depend on mission requirements and subject to discussion with Canada's space partners.

Hansen, 39, of London, Ont., and Saint-Jacques, 45, a Quebec City native, joined the Canadian astronaut corps in 2009 and are the only current active members.

In an interview last September, Hansen said he had an inkling he'd get to space by 2020.

"I kind of have a feeling that I'm going to fly in this decade," he said.

Hadfield was the last Canadian to visit the orbiting space lab during a five-month visit that ended in May 2013.

The space station is a joint endeavour among five space agencies.

Canada, the United States and Russia have all renewed their commitment to 2024 while Japan and the European Space Agency haven't agreed to extend beyond 2020 for now.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said in a statement he's delighted Canada is extending its involvement.

"A commitment to continuing to utilize this tremendous resource will enable the international research community to accomplish important goals including cutting-edge research and technology development that will enable human and robotic exploration of destinations beyond low-Earth orbit, including asteroids and Mars," he said.