A Canadian astronaut from London, Ontario is now part of one of the most important space missions in decades.
Jeremy Hansen has officially launched aboard Artemis II, marking the start of a mission that will take humans beyond low-Earth orbit and around the Moon.
This is now an active mission — not a future one.
A mission heading farther than any humans before
Artemis II is expected to last about 10 days.
During the mission, the crew will travel around the Moon and return to Earth. If all goes as planned, the spacecraft will reach a point farther from Earth than any humans in history.
The current record was set during Apollo 13 in 1970.
Who is Jeremy Hansen?
Jeremy Hansen is an astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency.
- Selected as a Canadian astronaut in 2009
- Former fighter pilot
- Named to the Artemis II crew in 2023
His assignment to Artemis II marked the first time a Canadian was selected for a crewed lunar mission.
His role on Artemis II
On Artemis II, Hansen serves as a mission specialist.
The crew includes:
- Reid Wiseman
- Victor Glover
- Christina Koch
- Jeremy Hansen
The mission is a lunar flyby. It does not include a landing, but it is a key step before future missions that will land astronauts on the Moon.
Why this matters for Canada
This mission marks a major milestone.
As the mission progresses, Jeremy Hansen is expected to become:
- The first Canadian to travel beyond low-Earth orbit
- The first Canadian to fly around the Moon
Canada secured this opportunity through its partnership with NASA, including contributions to space robotics and future lunar systems.
What makes this mission historic
Artemis II is more than a return to lunar missions.
It is expected to push human spaceflight beyond previous limits. By the midpoint of the mission, the spacecraft could surpass the distance reached during Apollo 13.
For Canada, this is a clear sign of its growing role in deep-space exploration.
Quick facts
- Jeremy Hansen is from London, Ontario
- Selected as astronaut in 2009
- Named to Artemis II crew in 2023
- Mission length: about 10 days
- First Canadian on a Moon mission
FAQ
Is Jeremy Hansen from Ontario?
Yes. He is from London, Ontario.
Is Artemis II landing on the Moon?
No. It is a flyby mission designed to test systems for future landings.
Why is this mission important?
It is the first crewed mission in the Artemis program and could set a new distance record for human spaceflight.
When will the mission reach the Moon?
The mission timeline spans about 10 days, with key milestones including leaving Earth orbit and traveling around the Moon.
Notes:
- Jeremy Hansen has launched on Artemis II
- This is now an active mission
- He is expected to become the first Canadian in deep space
- The mission may break the human distance record set in 1970
- Ontario has a direct connection through Hansen’s hometown
