Artemis II mission marks historic milestone for Canadian space exploration
OTTAWA — Canada marked a historic milestone in space exploration as Canadian Space Agency astronaut Colonel Jeremy Hansen joined the Artemis II mission, becoming the first Canadian to travel to the Moon.
Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a statement recognizing the significance of the mission, calling it a defining moment for Canada’s space program and scientific community.
A milestone for Canada in space
Artemis II represents a major achievement for Canada, making it only the second country to send an astronaut on a lunar mission.
Colonel Hansen is part of a four-member crew that includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch. The mission is a key step in NASA’s Artemis program, aimed at returning humans to the Moon and advancing deep space exploration.
A legacy of Canadian astronauts
In his statement, Carney highlighted Hansen’s accomplishment as part of a broader legacy of Canadian space exploration.
Canada’s contributions to human spaceflight include pioneering astronauts such as Marc Garneau, Roberta Bondar, and Chris Hadfield. The Prime Minister noted that Hansen’s journey builds on decades of Canadian innovation and expertise in science and technology.
Earlier this evening I spoke with President Trump and congratulated him on the successful launch of Artemis II.
We discussed the courage of the astronauts, including Colonel Jeremy Hansen, the value of cooperation in space, and developments in the Middle East conflict.
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 2, 2026
Inspiring future generations
The Artemis II mission is expected to inspire a new generation of Canadians, particularly young people interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Carney described Canada as “a nation of explorers, builders, and innovators,” emphasizing the symbolic importance of the mission for the country’s identity and future ambitions in space.
Global collaboration in space
The Artemis II mission reflects international collaboration in space exploration, with Canada playing a key role alongside the United States through the Canadian Space Agency’s contributions to the Artemis program.
The mission is part of a broader effort to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon and prepare for future missions to Mars.
Looking ahead
Prime Minister Carney extended his wishes for a safe and successful mission to Hansen and his fellow astronauts, underscoring the importance of the mission for both Canada and the global scientific community.
The Artemis II mission marks a significant step forward in Canada’s continued participation in space exploration and its contributions to international scientific advancement.
Source: Prime Minister’s Office (pm.gc.ca)
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