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Canadian astronaut on Artemis 2 mission announces retirement

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, a member of NASA's Artemis 2 mission, will leave the Canadian Space Agency in September 2026.
  • Hansen, who became the first Canadian to fly on a lunar mission, will pursue new professional opportunities while remaining an RCAF reservist.
  • The Canadian Space Agency highlighted Hansen's role in bringing Canadians closer to the Moon and showcasing Canada's contribution to space exploration.

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who recently completed the historic Artemis 2 mission around the Moon, is set to depart the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in September 2026. The agency announced that Hansen will be pursuing new professional opportunities, though he will continue his service as a reservist with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

During the recent historic Artemis II mission, Jeremy Hansen brought Canadians closer to the Moon and showed the world Canada's role in human space exploration.

— Canadian Space AgencyCommenting on Jeremy Hansen's contribution to the Artemis 2 mission.

Hansen, a 50-year-old former fighter pilot, made history as the first non-American to fly on a lunar mission and the first Canadian to venture to the far side of the Moon. The Artemis 2 mission, which launched on April 1, saw Hansen and his NASA crewmates, Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, and Victor Glover, travel farther into space than any humans before them. They collected hundreds of gigabytes of data during the journey, marking the first crewed lunar trip since the Apollo missions of 1972.

In a statement, the CSA lauded Hansen's achievement, noting that he "brought Canadians closer to the Moon and showed the world Canada's role in human space exploration." This mission was Hansen's first spaceflight, and his departure marks the end of a significant chapter in his career with the agency.

He made history by becoming the first Canadian to venture to the far side of the Moon.

— Mark CarneyPrime Minister of Canada, acknowledging Hansen's achievement.

Prime Minister Mark Carney also acknowledged Hansen's historic flight, stating, "He made history by becoming the first Canadian to venture to the far side of the Moon." Hansen's decision to leave the CSA comes as he looks to new ventures, balancing his civilian career aspirations with his continued commitment to the RCAF.

Jeremy Hansen will leave the space agency 'from September 2026' to pursue 'new professional opportunities'.

— Canadian Space AgencyDetailing Hansen's departure and future plans.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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