Canada

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Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield responds to questions during a news conference from the International Space Station. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield says just one thing gets him mad on the International Space Station - having to go to sleep.

Hadfield says he's dreamed about going into space since he was a young Canadian and has worked hard to get there.

The 53-year-old space veteran is resolved to make the most out of his current visit and to spend as little time sleeping as he can.

Hadfield was speaking today (Monday) in his first news conference since becoming commander of the giant space station last Wednesday.

He is the first Canadian to hold the position.

Only three reporters attended the news conference which was broadcast down to the Montreal-area Canadian Space Agency.

Hadfield was asked about the experiments on board, cuts in research spending and his massive following of more than 500,000 Twitter followers.

His five-month visit, which began in late December, ends in mid-May.