The Exciting Selection of Jeremy Hansen for Artemis II
Amidst fierce competition, Jeremy Hansen, a distinguished 47-year-old Canadian astronaut, has earned the prestigious opportunity to participate in NASA’s Artemis II mission. Alongside his esteemed crew members—NASA astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Reid Wiseman—Hansen will embark on a daring lunar orbit expedition. Other hopeful Canadian contenders, including Jennifer Sidey-Gibbons, Joshua Kutryk, and David Saint-Jacques, vied for the chance to board the Orion spacecraft.
Delving into the Artemis Program’s Advancements
The Artemis program commenced triumphantly with Artemis I—a groundbreaking 25-day uncrewed mission that tested both NASA’s innovative Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion crew capsule. As the next phase of NASA’s lunar ambitions, Artemis II is set to propel astronauts back to the moon’s surface. During their 10-day voyage, the intrepid team of four will orbit the moon within the Orion spacecraft, assessing vital components in preparation for the highly anticipated Artemis III mission. This subsequent venture aspires to achieve humanity’s first lunar landing since 1972 by 2025.
Orion’s unparalleled orbit grants the Artemis II astronauts the unprecedented privilege of journeying farther than any predecessors. In recognition of Canada’s invaluable contribution to the Lunar Gateway—a space station designed to orbit the moon—and the development of a lunar rover by MDA, the nation has secured a seat on Artemis II.
Jeremy Hansen’s Lifelong Pursuit of the Stars
Born and raised in southwestern Ontario, Hansen’s fascination with space exploration can be traced back to his youth. At the tender age of 12, he enrolled in the Air Cadet Program, eventually pursuing space science studies at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario. Hansen’s impressive career trajectory led him to become a pilot, flying CF-18s in Cold Lake, Alberta, and ultimately achieving the rank of colonel in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Selected by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in 2009, Hansen has since undergone arduous training in diverse environments, such as the High Arctic, an Italian cave, and an underwater mission near Key Largo, Florida. His accomplishments include serving as Capcom at the Johnson Space Center in Houston in 2016 and becoming the first Canadian to lead astronaut training for both Canada and the United States in 2017.
Gearing up for Artemis II: Hansen’s Pride and Dedication
As he rigorously prepares for the monumental Artemis II mission aboard the Orion spacecraft, Hansen expresses immense pride in Canada’s crucial role in humanity’s return to the moon. He lauds the nation’s vital contributions to the international partnership and its steadfast involvement in the Artemis program.
