Chris Hadfield: Canadian Takes Charge Of ISS

Canada's Space Agency said the appointment of Chris Hadfield as International Space Station commander is "a historic milestone".

The veteran astronaut told his 500,000 followers on Twitter that outgoing Expedition 34 commander Kevin Ford of Nasa had handed him the "keys" to the station.

Commander Hadfield blasted into space on December 19, 2012 in a Soyuz spacecraft from Baikonur, Kazakhstan and arrived at the ISS on December 21.

Since his arrival, he has provided his followers on Twitter and 70,000 friends on Facebook with spectacular views of Earth.

From playing guitar to showing how astronauts get their hair cut, Cmdr Hadfield has given those on Earth a rare glimpse into the everyday lives of those living and working on the ISS through social media.

The 53-year-old, a veteran of two space shuttle missions, has become the first Canadian to assume command of the ISS.

He said: "I stand on the shoulders of so many that have made this possible, and now take my turn to try and add to that solid foundation for the Canadians that follow.

"It is a tremendous honour to assume command of the ISS.

"I will do my best to acquit myself well, accomplish the utmost as a crew for all the international partners, and fully live and share the experience on behalf of so many around our world."

Cmdr Hadfield will oversee the station's operations, including more than 100 scientific experiments, and will be responsible for the safety of the crew and the station.

The International Space Station orbits the Earth from a distance of 217 miles (350km), circling the planet every 90 minutes at a speed of 17,398mph.