A historic first for Canada
Jeremy Hansen, a 49-year-old astronaut from London, Ontario, is set to become the first Canadian ever to travel to the moon — not just into space, but around the lunar body and back to Earth.
This will mark a major milestone for the Canadian Space Agency and Canada’s role in human space exploration.
Part of NASA’s Artemis II mission
Hansen isn’t flying solo.He’s a mission specialist on NASA’s Artemis II mission, the first crewed lunar voyage since Apollo 17 in 1972.
The crew includes three NASA astronauts — Reid Wiseman (commander), Victor Glover (pilot), and Christina Koch — and together they will fly aboard the Orion spacecraft on a roughly 10-day journey around the Moon and back.
Launch timing and mission plan
Artemis II is in final preparations and could launch as early as February 2026, with NASA identifying launch dates from February through April.The mission will follow a “free return” trajectory: Orion will loop around the far side of the Moon and use Earth and lunar gravity to carry the crew home for a Pacific Ocean splashdown.
Inspiration and national engagement
Canada’s space agency is actively involving Canadians in the mission.The CSA is inviting the public to submit questions that may be posed to Hansen while he’s in space, and science centres and schools across Canada are planning watch parties and educational events tied to the flight.
The mission is widely seen as a chance to inspire youth toward science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.
Culture and personal touches on the mission
Hansen will carry a mission patch designed by an Anishinaabe artist, reflecting Indigenous traditions and cosmic symbolism, signifying the broader cultural importance of this journey.Also — in a fun nod to Canadian identity — the crew will bring along Canadian-themed food like maple syrup and other special items to share aboard Orion.
🌙 What This Means in Context
This mission isn’t just another space flight — it’s a bridge back to the Moon after more than half a century and a significant moment in Canada’s space history.
Hansen’s voyage underscores international cooperation in deep space exploration and marks a point of pride — and inspiration — for Canadians and space enthusiasts around the world.
