Artemis 2 moon astronaut says crew is ready for ambitious 2024 mission

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen is preparing for a historic mission to the moon. As a mission specialist on Artemis 2, slated to launch in 2024, Hansen will be part of the first astronaut mission to visit the moon in over 50 years. This mission will also mark the beginning of NASA’s larger Artemis program. Despite being selected by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in 2009, this will be Hansen’s first space flight, as Canada’s space contributions are relatively modest compared to other agencies.

Before his assignment to Artemis 2, Hansen held numerous senior roles on the ground, advising Canadian policymakers on space affairs, managing training schedules for NASA’s 2017 astronaut class, and helping to formulate procedures to repair an International Space Station (ISS) instrument hunting for signs of dark matter. Hansen views his upcoming space flight as a continuation of his previous work and a chance to highlight Canada’s contributions to space exploration.

Hansen will be joined on the Artemis 2 mission by three NASA astronauts. The mission aims to emphasize international collaboration and diversity. Hansen will become the first non-American to leave Earth’s orbit, a milestone made possible by the CSA’s contribution of Canadarm3, a robotic arm being built by Canadian company MDA to service NASA’s future Gateway space station.

The Artemis 2 mission is described by Hansen as a “testing mission,” with all astronauts bringing their unique skills to determine the best path forward to the moon. The crew, all of whom have previously flown on the ISS, have already formed a strong bond. They often discuss risk management and teamwork during their training sessions.