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. His paternal grandfather, Magnus Hansen, emigrated from Denmark to Canada in 1929. Jeremy was raised on a farm near the community of Ailsa Craig before moving to Ingersoll to attend high school. His interest in aviation began early when, at age 12, he joined the 614 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron in London. After graduating from Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute, Hansen pursued higher education at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario. He earned a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in space science in 1999, followed by a Master of Science degree in physics in 2000, where his research focused on wide field-of-view satellite tracking. His academic excellence was recognized in May 1999 when he received the Air Cadet League of Canada Award as the top air force graduate from the Royal Military College.

Military and Pilot Career

Following his graduation from the Royal Military College, Hansen began a career as an officer and pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He earned his pilot wings in May 2002 and was subsequently posted to CFB Cold Lake in Alberta. At Cold Lake, Hansen served as a captain and piloted the CF-18 Hornet fighter jet, a role that honed his skills in high-performance aviation and complex systems management. His excellence in training was recognized early when he received the Clancy Scheldrup Memorial Trophy in 2001 as the outstanding graduate of the Basic Flying Course. Hansen's military service, which totalled 12 years by October 2006, was acknowledged with the Canadian Forces' Decoration. He was later promoted to the rank of colonel, a rank he held during his time as an astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency.

Astronaut Selection and Advanced Training

Jeremy Hansen was selected by the Canadian Space Agency in 2009 as part of its third astronaut recruitment campaign, alongside David Saint-Jacques. His selection marked the beginning of an intensive period of astronaut training and support roles. In 2013, Hansen participated as a 'cavenaut' in the European Space Agency's CAVES training programme in Sardinia, a mission designed to simulate spaceflight conditions through underground exploration. He trained alongside astronauts Satoshi Furukawa, Michael Barratt, Jack Fischer, Aleksey Ovchinin, and Paolo Nespoli. The following year, he served as an aquanaut on NASA's NEEMO 19 mission, living and working aboard the Aquarius underwater laboratory for a seven-day undersea exploration mission that began on September 7, 2014. NASA had announced his assignment to this mission on June 10, 2014. These advanced training exercises prepared him for the operational and teamwork challenges of long-duration spaceflight and deep space missions.

Artemis II Mission and Historic Flight

On April 3, 2023, NASA and the Canadian Space Agency announced that Jeremy Hansen would fly as a mission specialist on the Artemis II mission, making him the first Canadian slated to travel to the vicinity of the Moon. The mission launched on April 1, 2026, with Hansen serving as one of four crew members on the Orion spacecraft. The crew successfully flew around the Moon on April 6, 2026, before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2026. This mission secured several historic firsts for Hansen and for Canada. He became the first astronaut from outside the United States to travel beyond low Earth orbit and the first to journey to the lunar vicinity. This achievement places him among the humans who have travelled the farthest from our planet.

Retirement and Post-Flight Role

On July 6, 2026, Jeremy Hansen announced his retirement from the Canadian Space Agency's active astronaut corps, effective in September 2026. In his announcement, Hansen stated his intention to pursue new, creative opportunities to support and enable the vital work happening within Canada's space sector. His retirement from flight status followed the successful completion of the historic Artemis II mission, allowing him to transition into a new phase of advocacy and leadership. This move is designed to leverage his unique experience and public profile to foster the next generation of Canadian space exploration initiatives and partnerships. His departure from active duty creates an opening within the Canadian astronaut corps for new candidates to be selected and trained for future missions.

Personal Life, Interests, and Public Role

Jeremy Hansen is married to Dr. Catherine Hansen, a medical doctor specializing in women's health, and the couple has three children. Hansen has publicly expressed a strong interest in Indigenous knowledge and culture, which was reflected in the design of his Artemis II mission patch. The patch was created by Anishinaabe artist Henry Guimond of the Sagkeeng First Nation and incorporates symbolism from the Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers. Outside of his professional life, Hansen is an avid outdoorsman whose hobbies include mountain biking, rock climbing, and sailing. His public service and profile have led to several notable recognitions, including serving as Canada's flag bearer for the Coronation of King Charles III and Camilla and acting as the Calgary Stampede Parade Marshal in 2023.

Honours, Awards, and Recognitions

Throughout his career, Jeremy Hansen has received numerous military, scientific, and civic honours. His awards reflect his service in the Royal Canadian Air Force, his academic achievements, and his contributions to space exploration. Following his historic flight on Artemis II, he was awarded the United States Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 2026. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and was awarded their Gold Medal in 2014. His other medals include the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal from 2012 and the King Charles III Coronation Medal, which he received in May 2023.

Key honours and recognitions include the Canadian Forces' Decoration for twelve years of service, awarded in October 2006. He received the Royal Canadian Air Force pilot wings in May 2002 and the Clancy Scheldrup Memorial Trophy as the outstanding graduate on the Basic Flying Course in 2001. Hansen earned the Air Cadet League of Canada Award as the top air force graduate from the Royal Military College of Canada in May 1999. He is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and received its Gold Medal in 2014. Hansen was also awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and the King Charles III Coronation Medal in May 2023.

• Canadian Forces' Decoration for 12 years of service (October 2006)
• Royal Canadian Air Force pilot wings (May 2002)
• Clancy Scheldrup Memorial Trophy for top Basic Flying Course graduate (2001)
• Air Cadet League of Canada Award for top air force graduate from RMC (May 1999)
• Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (FRCGS)
• Gold Medal of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (2014)
• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
• King Charles III Coronation Medal, British version (May 2023)
• Canada's flag bearer for the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla
• Calgary Stampede Parade Marshal (2023)
• Congressional Space Medal of Honor (2026)

These awards chronicle a career dedicated to service, exploration, and representing Canada on the world stage. His service included being Canada's flag bearer for the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla. Hansen also served as the Calgary Stampede Parade Marshal in 2023. In 2026, he was awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. His career spanned roles as a Royal Canadian Air Force colonel, a CF-18 pilot, and a Canadian Space Agency astronaut. His journey culminated with his historic flight on the Artemis II mission to the vicinity of the Moon.

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 in April 2026. He was one of four crew members aboard the Orion spacecraft that performed a lunar flyby, travelling around the Moon before returning to Earth. In this role, he was responsible for supporting spacecraft systems and operations during the flight. His participation made him the first non-American astronaut to travel beyond low Earth orbit and to the vicinity of the Moon.

What is Jeremy Hansen's military background?

Jeremy Hansen is a colonel in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Before becoming an astronaut, he served as a captain and CF-18 Hornet fighter pilot stationed at CFB Cold Lake in Alberta. He earned his pilot wings in May 2002 and received the Canadian Forces' Decoration for 12 years of service in 2006. His military training, particularly in high-performance aircraft, provided a foundational skill set for his subsequent career as an astronaut.

Where did Jeremy Hansen go to university?

Jeremy Hansen attended the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario. He graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in space science. He continued his studies at the same institution, earning a Master of Science degree in physics in 2000. His master's research was focused on the field of wide field-of-view satellite tracking.

Is Jeremy Hansen still an astronaut?

Jeremy Hansen is not an active astronaut, having retired from the Canadian Space Agency's astronaut program. He announced his retirement on July 6, 2026, with it becoming effective in September 2026. This retirement followed his role as a mission specialist on the Artemis II mission in April 2026. Hansen stated his intention to pursue new opportunities to support Canada's space program, seeking creative ways to enable vital work in the sector. His career transition marks a shift from active flight duty to other roles within the national space effort.

What records did Jeremy Hansen set on Artemis II?

Jeremy Hansen set several historic records during the Artemis II mission. He became the first astronaut not from the United States to travel beyond low Earth orbit and the first to journey to the vicinity of the Moon. Hansen and his Artemis II crewmates are among the humans who have travelled the farthest from Earth, having broken the distance record previously held by the Apollo 13 mission. These achievements were realized when the mission flew around the Moon on April 6, 2026, before returning to Earth via splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, 2026.

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

The significance of Jeremy Hansen's Artemis II mission patch lies in its Indigenous Canadian cultural design. The patch was created by Anishinaabe artist Henry Guimond from the Sagkeeng First Nation. It references the Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers, a set of traditional Indigenous values. This design reflects Hansen's personal interest in Indigenous knowledge. The patch therefore symbolically connects the milestone of lunar exploration with important aspects of Canadian heritage and cultural traditions.

Sources and further reading

• Jeremy Hansen (Wikipedia)
• Jeremy R. Hansen: First Canadian in Deep Space (airandspace.si.edu)
• Jeremy Hansen | Artemis II Astronaut | Keynote Speaker (speakers.ca)

Checked by the Your Space Hamilton desk. Last updated 2026-10-20.