Steve MacLean was one of the six astronauts selected to fly with the CANEX-2 set of Canadian experiments in space. His mission, STS-52, took place from Oct. 22 to Nov. 1, 1992, making him the only third Canadian into space. He is also a former national champion gymnast and served as a member of the Canadian National Gymnastics Team.
MacLean worked in sports administration and public relations at York and taught part time at the University from 1980 to 1983. In 1983, he became a visiting scholar at Stanford University under Nobel Prize laureate A. L. Shawlow. He has also been adjunct professor at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies and in 1994, he was appointed acting director-general of the Canadian Astronaut Program. MacLean is an honorary fellow of Bethune College and president of the Board of Directors for the Mt. Megantic Observatory project.
MacLean received the Murray G. Ross Award from York in 1977. He has also received honorary doctorates from York University, Acadia University and the Royal Military College Saint-Jean in Québec.
MacLean is married to Nadine Wielgopolski and together they have three children: Jean-Philippe, Catherine, and Michele. He enjoys hiking, canoeing, flying, parachuting and gymnastics.