Logline

Aaron’s grandfather, Ireal, worked at the highest levels of Canada’s aerospace industry. Now, 36 years after his death, Aaron uncovers Ireal’s story, sending him on a mission to launch his grandfather’s ashes into space.

A documentary short film by Aaron Smail and Adam Marley. Coming Soon.

Follow the Finding Ireal journey on Instagram!

Brasilsat Medallion 🇧🇷 One side of a gold medallion depicting a satellite over Brazil. It was gifted to Ireal by Embratel, the customer and operators of Brasilsat, the $160 million satellite system for which Spar Aerospace Limited was prime contra
Ireal in Uniform II. Captain Ireal A. Mayson poses for the camera, likely in his quarters at his post in either Australia or the Philippines. #findingirealfilm #remembranceday #canadaremembers
Ireal’s Letter Ireal’s official letter of demobilization from the Department of National Defence, allowing him to return to civilian life after his service in WWII. #findingirealfilm #remembranceday
Ireal in Uniform I. Ireal smiles with a cigarette in hand, wearing his Royal Canadian Artillery uniform. Judging by how young he looks, this was probably taken at home in Toronto before he was deployed to the Pacific. Remembering Ireal, all those
The Business Card The item that started it all. The first tangible piece that connected Aaron to his grandfather, when he was given Ireal’s Spar Aerospace business card all those years ago. This states Ireal’s final position at Spar Ae
Ireal in Ghana 🇬🇭 Ireal photographed here speaking at the sod-cutting (ground breaking) ceremony for Ghana’s Satellite Earth Station on December 15th, 1977. Spar Aerospace oversaw construction and the components within the station, as the co
Ireal’s RCA ID Ireal’s ID badge as Vice President and General Manager of Government and Commercial Systems for RCA Canada Limited. #findingirealfilm
The Anik B Satellite 🇨🇦🛰️ pt. 3 Anik B was launched on December 15th, 1978 from the Kennedy Space Center on a Delta rocket. It was Canada’s fourth communications satellite after Anik A, A2, and A3. On December 1st, 1986, it was retired and
The Anik B Satellite 🇨🇦🛰️ pt. 2 Ireal (Don in this case), with John Korda of Telesat, is photographed here inspecting the antenna system on Anik B at Spar Aerospace’s Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue facility, as seen in Canadian Electronics Engineerin
The Anik B Satellite 🇨🇦🛰️ pt. 1 Anik B was a Canadian domestic communications satellite built by RCA Canada. Commissioned by Telesat Canada as a follow-up to the CTS / Hermes satellite, Anik B ushered in the era of the first Direct Broadcast Sate

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Our Indiegogo campaign wrapped up on November 17th, 2023, having raised 123% of our goal. Thank you to everyone who donated, contributed, and shared links and social media posts!