Jeremy Hansen

Early Life and Education

Jeremy Roger Hansen was born on January 27, 1976, in London, Ontario, to parents Nancy Good and Gary Hansen. He spent his early years on a farm near the community of Ailsa Craig before his family moved to Ingersoll for his high school education. His interest in aviation was sparked early when, at age 12, he joined the 614 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron in London. This formative experience provided a foundation for his future career in both the military and space exploration. After graduating from Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute, he pursued higher education at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario.

At the Royal Military College, Hansen demonstrated exceptional academic ability in the sciences. He completed a Bachelor of Science degree with First Class Honours in space science in 1999, earning the Air Cadet League of Canada Award as the top air force graduate from the college that year. He continued his studies at the same institution, earning a Master of Science degree in physics in 2000. His master's research focused on the technical challenges of wide field-of-view satellite tracking, a topic that bridged his interests in space operations and applied physics.

Military and Pre-Astronaut Career

Following his education, Hansen began a career as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He earned his pilot wings in May 2002 after being named the outstanding graduate on his Basic Flying Course, for which he received the Clancy Scheldrup Memorial Trophy. He served as a captain and piloted the CF-18 Hornet fighter jet from Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake in Alberta. His military service was recognized with the Canadian Forces' Decoration in October 2006 for completing twelve years of good service. This operational flying experience provided the high-stakes training and discipline that would later prove invaluable in his astronaut career.

The Artemis II Mission

On April 3, 2023, NASA and the CSA announced that Jeremy Hansen would serve as a mission specialist on the Artemis II crew, making him the first Canadian ever assigned to a lunar mission. The mission launched on April 1, 2026, at 6:35 p.m. EDT, with Hansen and three NASA astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft. Over the course of ten days, the crew travelled to the Moon, performed a lunar flyby on April 6, and returned to Earth, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2026. This journey made Hansen the first person from outside the United States to travel beyond low Earth orbit and to the vicinity of the Moon.

The Artemis II mission also set a new distance record for human spaceflight. Hansen and his crewmates travelled farther from Earth than the crew of Apollo 13, placing them among the humans who have ventured the greatest distance from our planet. The mission served as a crucial test of the Orion spacecraft's life support and crew systems in deep space, paving the way for future Artemis missions aimed at landing astronauts on the lunar surface. Hansen's role was a point of significant national pride and a demonstration of Canada's partnership in the international Artemis program.

Post-Mission Activities and Retirement

Following the successful Artemis II mission, Hansen travelled across Canada to share his experience and inspire the next generation. He made public appearances at major events including the 2026 Canada Day National Noon Ceremony, the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto on August 21, and a live Q&A at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto on June 11, 2026. He also participated in events at the Ontario Science Centre and the Halifax Central Library, discussing daily life on the mission and the future of space exploration. In interviews, he highlighted ample opportunities for Canada to contribute to expanded international moon base projects.

Jeremy Hansen announced his retirement from the astronaut program of the Canadian Space Agency on July 6, 2026. His retirement from active astronaut training was effective in September 2026. Hansen stated his intention was to pursue new opportunities to support and enable the vital work happening in Canada with respect to space. This move marked his departure from active flight status within the agency.

Personal Life and Interests

Jeremy Hansen is married to Dr. Catherine Hansen, a medical doctor specializing in women's health, and together they have three children. He maintains a strong interest in Indigenous knowledge and culture, which was reflected in the design of his official Artemis II mission patch. The patch was created by Anishinaabe artist Henry Guimond of Sagkeeng First Nation and incorporates symbolism from the Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers, including wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, and truth. Outside of his professional life, Hansen is an avid outdoorsman whose hobbies include mountain biking, rock climbing, and sailing.

Honours and Recognition

Throughout his career, Hansen has received numerous honours for his service and achievements. His military awards include the Canadian Forces' Decoration and his RCAF pilot wings. For his contributions to space exploration and geography, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and received the Society's Gold Medal in 2014. He was also awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Following the Artemis II mission, he was a recipient of the prestigious Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 2026. Other recognitions include serving as Canada's flag bearer for the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla, for which he later received the King Charles III Coronation Medal, and acting as Parade Marshal for the Calgary Stampede in 2023. These honours reflect his distinguished service in both military aviation and space exploration.

Questions about Jeremy Hansen

What did Jeremy Hansen do on the Artemis II mission?

Jeremy Hansen served as a mission specialist on NASA's Artemis II mission, which launched on April 1, 2026. He was part of the four-person crew that flew the Orion spacecraft around the Moon, performing a lunar flyby on April 6 before returning to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2026. His duties involved assisting with spacecraft operations, conducting system checks, and contributing to the mission's objectives of testing Orion's systems in deep space. His participation made him the first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit and to the vicinity of the Moon.

What is the significance of Jeremy Hansen's Artemis II mission patch?

The Artemis II mission patch was designed by Anishinaabe artist Henry Guimond of Sagkeeng First Nation. Its design references the Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers. This reflects Hansen's personal interest in Indigenous knowledge. The patch carried this symbol of Anishinaabe values on the historic mission to the vicinity of the Moon.

What records did Jeremy Hansen set during Artemis II?

During the Artemis II mission, Jeremy Hansen set several historic records. He became the first astronaut from outside the United States to travel beyond low Earth orbit and the first to journey to the vicinity of the Moon. Furthermore, the trajectory of Artemis II took Hansen and his crewmates farther from Earth than any humans had travelled before, breaking the distance record previously held by the Apollo 13 mission. This placed him among the humans who have travelled the farthest from our planet.

What training did Hansen do before becoming an astronaut?

Before his selection as an astronaut, Hansen was a CF-18 fighter pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force, earning his pilot wings in 2002. After being selected by the CSA in 2009, he underwent extensive astronaut training. This included participating in the European Space Agency's CAVES program in 2013, where he trained in underground caves in Sardinia with an international crew. In 2014, he served as an aquanaut on the NEEMO 19 mission, living for seven days in an underwater habitat to simulate spacewalk and exploration tasks in a demanding environment.

Where can Canadians see or hear Jeremy Hansen speak?

Following the Artemis II mission, Jeremy Hansen participated in numerous public events across Canada. He appeared at the 2026 Canada Day National Noon Ceremony, the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto on August 21, 2026, and held a live Q&A at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto on June 11, 2026. He also engaged with the public at the Ontario Science Centre, the Halifax Central Library, and during a media tour in the Montréal area. Recordings of some events, like the Elgin Theatre Q&A, were made available online for those who could not attend in person.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Your Space Hamilton desk. Last updated 2026-10-20.