October 5, 1984. 7:03:00 a.m. EDT. Blast off. Space Shuttle Challenger lifts off, carrying Marc Garneau, the first Canadian to travel into space. One of the seven crew members of Mission STS-41-G, Garneau conducted multiple Canadian-designed experiments as a payload specialist. After 8 days + 5 hours, orbiting Earth 133 times, the astronaut came back to Earth a Canadian hero. He would later set out on two more space flights: STS-77 in 1996 and STS-97 in 2000.

The reverse features a central core image of Challenger superimposed over Earth. The realistic design of the space shuttle is surrounded by concentric circles representing different sections of Earth's atmosphere. The inner core represents the troposphere where the shuttle launched, the inner ring is the thermosphere where the shuttle orbiter, and the outer ring in outer space. The 35 maple leaves which adorn the outer ring represent the commemorated 35 years, also identified with the "1984–2019" as printed on the coin along with "CANADA." The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt, also surrounded by 35 maple leaves.

"Embracing the challenge of designing a coin with tri-metal technology, I worked with engineers and colleagues to create a coin that outshined all others. We considered each metal's implication and impact in the 3D modeling and then set about the process, which involved engraving tooling work, 3D rendering, and post-production. This is definitely a fascinating addition to my collection!" Ms. Aida Alves: Engraver