Elementary schools named for Roberta Bondar, the neurologist who in 1992 became the first Canadian woman in space, seem to be a regular fixture of suburban neighborhoods throughout Canada. More recently, Chris Hadfield became a celebrity for his musical stylings from the stars. And Julie Payette, the governor general who acts as head of state on Queen Elizabeth II’s behalf, is another former member of the country’s corps of astronauts.

Much of what Canada does in space today still doesn’t involve astronauts. I asked Sarah Gallagher, a professor of physics and astronomy at Western University in London, Ontario, about the value of the costly business of sending people into space.

“In the same way that science is a human imperative, exploration is as well,” said Professor Gallagher, who is also the Canadian Space Agency’s science adviser. “What’s underappreciated is how motivating the grand projects are.”

Canadians continue to go to the International Space Station. Last month David St. Jacques returned from 204 days in space, a record for a Canadian.

And in February, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will join an American-led program to build a space station orbiting the moon, which is a step toward sending humans back to the lunar surface. The status of that program has became somewhat confused after President Trump announced that he wanted astronauts back on the moon within five years and then suggested last month that Mars should be the destination.