Introduction: A Day with the Next Artemis Mission
With Artemis II drawing closer to liftoff, Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen spent time engaging with curious students from St. Jude Elementary School on Montreal’s South Shore. The event, held at the Canadian Space Agency headquarters in Longueuil, offered a rare glimpse into the human side of a mission that many in the audience will only read about in history books for years to come.
Facing Fears, Building Confidence
When a grade-schooler asked Hansen to name his fears, the 49-year-old from London, Ontario, answered with honesty and pragmatism. He spoke about the unknowns of deep-space travel and the inherent risks, noting that there is no guaranteed outcome in space exploration. “You can die in space just like you can die here on Earth, but what I do believe is that we have been very smart about our approach,” Hansen said. He emphasized that trust—in oneself and in the broader mission team—is essential to navigating the dangers of lunar travel.
A Historic Milestone for Canada and the U.S.
Artemis II, a roughly 10-day voyage around the Moon, would mark the first crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17 in 1972 and could take flight as early as February 2026. Hansen would become the first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit, joining NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch in a mission conducted aboard the Orion spacecraft, affectionately nicknamed “Integrity.”
Why This Mission Matters
Hansen described Artemis II as a stepping-stone—an essential precursor to future exploration. Artemis III aims to land astronauts on the Moon’s South Pole for the first time in more than half a century, while Artemis IV is planned to begin assembling the Gateway lunar space station, a small, autonomous outpost that would orbit the Moon and host Canadarm 3 robotics. The mission sequence signals a broader strategy to establish sustainable lunar exploration and prepare for crewed missions to Mars.
Canada’s Role in a Global Endeavor
Hansen stressed that Canada earned its place in this ambitious program through ambition and vision, underscored by robotics heritage such as Canadarm. These contributions have opened doors for Canadian astronauts to join major missions. The event also highlighted Canada’s continued commitment to scientific leadership, with government leadership on display as Industry Minister Mélanie Joly accompanied Hansen. Joly underscored the importance of space exploration in national policy, noting plans to increase defence spending and address health threats, climate challenges, and disaster response capabilities.
How Artemis II Shapes the Future of Space Travel
Beyond the thrill of a lunar flyby, Artemis II raises practical questions about life in a compact spacecraft. Hansen explained the logistics: a vehicle the size of a camper van demands meticulous packing of supplies, a critical factor for any sustained lunar presence or later missions to Mars. “If the objective is to go to the moon and stay there, establishing a permanent settlement … the distance is a thousand times farther than the International Space Station,” he noted. The quote underscores the scale of challenges ahead and the careful planning required to extend humanity’s reach into deep space.
Light Moments, Serious Intent
Humor also found its place in the dialogue. When a student asked about food aboard the spacecraft, Hansen joked, “if we get to space and the food’s not loaded, that was a big oversight and we’re in big trouble.” The moment balanced the gravity of exploration with the human need for levity, a reminder that these missions are carried out by people who rely on teamwork, preparation, and resilience.
Looking Ahead
As Artemis II’s launch window approaches, the world watches a team that blends national pride with international collaboration. The mission’s success will not only mark a historic milestone for Canada and the U.S. but also set the stage for the Moon’s next chapters—potential lunar bases, a gateway to deeper space, and perhaps the first steps toward Mars. In the words of Hansen, the risks are real, but the pursuit is purposeful—pushing humanity forward for the generations to come.
Note: This report was first published by The Canadian Press on Oct. 16, 2025.
