Colonel Jeremy Hansen is now on his way to the Moon, marking a first not just for him, but for Canada. The Canadian Space Agency astronaut lifted off aboard Artemis II on April 1, 2026, becoming the first Canadian to take part in a lunar mission.
Credit: NASA/Glenn Benson
The launch happened at 6:35 pm ET from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Hansen is travelling with NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch. Together, they form the four-person crew of Artemis II, a mission expected to last close to 10 days.
This is the first time humans have headed toward the Moon since 1972. It also puts Canada in rare company, as it is only the second country to send an astronaut on a mission of this kind.
The spacecraft, Orion, will follow a path known as a hybrid free return. It will loop around Earth twice to build speed, then head toward the Moon, using lunar gravity to swing around the far side before coming back home. If all goes as planned, it will splash down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego.
Credit: Canadian Space Agency
Along the way, the crew has a long checklist. They will monitor navigation, test life support systems, and evaluate how the spacecraft performs with people on board to make sure Orion is ready for deeper missions into space.
Back on Earth, astronaut Jenni Gibbons is playing a key role. Named as Hansen’s backup in November 2023, she is serving as capsule communicator, guiding the crew from ground control.
In a statement, Prime Minister Carney called the launch a reflection of Canada’s long-standing commitment to science and exploration. He also pointed to the legacy of earlier astronauts like Marc Garneau, Roberta Bondar, and Chris Hadfield, saying Hansen now carries that story forward.
Future missions in the program are already being lined up. Artemis III, currently targeted for 2027, will continue testing systems and capabilities in low Earth orbit to prepare for what comes next. Artemis IV, planned for 2028, is expected to carry astronauts to the Moon and land humans on its surface.