LONGUEUIL – Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen has dedicated over two-and-a-half years preparing for his forthcoming lunar mission, and he is relishing every moment of his training. Hansen, who is 49 years old and hails from London, Ontario, expressed in a recent interview that he anticipates missing the preparations once the 10-day voyage is completed. The mission is scheduled to launch in early 2026, with the first window set for February.
Hansen will serve as a mission specialist for the Artemis II launch, alongside experienced NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, who will take on the role of commander, pilot Victor Glover, and fellow mission specialist Christina Koch. This mission marks the first time astronauts will travel to the moon since the Apollo missions concluded in 1972, and it will also be the inaugural crewed flight of the Orion spacecraft. The crew members have named their capsule "Integrity," which will circle the moon before returning to Earth.
As Hansen prepares to make history for Canadian space exploration, several factors come into play regarding the mission's complexity and significance. One notable aspect is the "condensed" nature of the operations. Unlike the typical six-month stints that astronauts usually spend aboard the International Space Station, the stakes are high for the Artemis II mission. Wiseman highlighted that the crew must navigate unexpected stress while maintaining their focus, calmness, and teamwork throughout the 10 days.
Mathieu Caron, the director of astronauts, life sciences, and space medicine at the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), noted the mission's detailed work plans for each crewmember, emphasizing the challenges they will face in a confined space. The Orion capsule boasts a habitable volume of 330 cubic feet, which approximates the living space of two minivans, making it imperative for the astronauts to adapt to tight quarters during their historic journey.
If successful, this mission will make Hansen the first non-American astronaut to venture beyond lower-Earth orbit, with Glover becoming the first person of color in that realm and Koch the first woman. This mission will also represent Hansen's inaugural journey to space since his appointment to the astronaut corps in 2009. Furthermore, fellow Canadian astronaut Jenni Gibbons, aged 37 and from Calgary, was designated in November 2023 as Hansen's backup and will serve as a CAPCOM, acting as a communication link between the spacecraft and mission control.
On the culinary front, Natalie Hirsch, the project manager for operational space medicine at the CSA, revealed that the food for the Artemis II mission is carefully curated to align with the astronauts’ nutritional requirements, while also considering the constraints of space and weight aboard the Orion capsule. Included in their menu are rehydratable supplies and thermostabilized food items. Five Canadian delicacies will accompany the crew, including pure maple syrup, a maple cookie, smoked salmon bites, shrimp curry and rice, and a super-seed cereal.
Exercise plays a crucial role in the astronauts' health during their mission, as they will engage in both cardiovascular workouts and resistance training with a specialized flywheel device designed for the Orion spacecraft. During a recent news conference, Wiseman humorously pointed out that the capsule may feel more cramped due to Hansen's six-foot-two-inch stature, highlighting the need for the crew to adjust to exercising in microgravity.
The excitement surrounding the mission resonates across the CSA, based south of Montreal, with Caron observing that the atmosphere is "palpable." One of the highlights for the agency is the monumental milestone that Artemis II represents for Canadian space exploration. Hansen will carry small pendants encapsulating half moons filled with family birthstones, inscribed with "moon and back," symbolizing his connection to his wife and children during this historic endeavor.
The Artemis III mission, aimed at landing astronauts on the moon for the first time in over fifty years, has faced delays and is now scheduled for mid-2027. NASA announced that this mission will also feature a woman and a person of color as part of the crew. Additionally, the Artemis IV mission will mark the first efforts to assemble the Gateway lunar space station, which will incorporate a Canadian contribution, the Canadarm 3.
