Categories: Space/Science

Astronaut Jeremy Hansen Fields Kids’ Queries as Artemis II Nears Launch Milestone

Astronaut Jeremy Hansen Fields Kids’ Queries as Artemis II Nears Launch Milestone

Canada’s Jeremy Hansen Addressing the Next Moon Mission

As Artemis II closes in on its highly anticipated launch window, Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen sat down with curious Grade 5 and 6 students from St. Jude Elementary School on Montreal’s South Shore. The Q&A, held at the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) headquarters in Longueuil, offered a rare glimpse into the human side of a mission that promises to push humanity farther than ever before—from Canada to the Moon and back.

Facing Fear with Preparedness

Hansen, 49, who hails from London, Ontario, acknowledged the inherent fears that come with deep-space exploration. “What helps me with that is that I have learned to trust myself and to trust others,” he said, emphasizing the value of meticulous preparation and teamwork. He reminded the students that spaceflight carries no guaranteed outcomes: astronauts can die in space just as they can on Earth. Yet the overarching message was one of disciplined optimism: the mission team has been “very smart about our approach.”

A Historic Leap: Artemis II

The Artemis II crew, a diverse team that includes veteran NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, will travel aboard the Orion spacecraft named “Integrity.” The mission, which could launch as early as February 2026, will orbit the Moon for about 10 days. It marks the first crewed Moon mission since Apollo 17 in 1972 and would make Hansen the first non-American to venture beyond the lower Earth orbit.

Why This Mission Matters

Hansen framed Artemis II as a stepping-stone toward longer-term goals, including Artemis III’s plan to land astronauts at the Moon’s South Pole after more than half a century without a human lunar landing. NASA’s broader Artemis program also includes Artemis IV, which aims to begin assembling the Gateway, a lunar space station that could host Canadarm 3 robotics, signaling a sustained Canadian role in lunar exploration.

Canada at the Forefront

Hansen underscored Canada’s growing leadership in space by highlighting its robotic legacy—most notably the Canadarm lineage—that helped propel Canadian astronauts into major missions. The CSA and Canadian policymakers view Artemis as an opportunity to strengthen national capabilities in space robotics, science, and defense—while addressing global challenges such as pandemics, climate change, and natural disasters.

Beyond the Moon: Why the Risks Are Worth It

During the session, Hansen explained the balance between risk and reward. He noted that resupply and life-support considerations would shape mission planning for a spacecraft the size of a camper van, underscoring the logistical hurdles of sustaining a crew in deep space. “If the objective is to go to the moon and stay there, establishing a permanent settlement on the moon or space stations around the moon, the distance is a thousand times farther than the International Space Station,” he said, highlighting the scale of future ambitions as humanity contemplates Mars.

Everyday Realities on a Grand Stage

When a student asked about food, 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 light moment underscored a broader truth: even in the face of daunting undertakings, the crew relies on practical planning and teamwork to turn audacious goals into achievable milestones.

A Moment for Inspiration

Canadian Industry Minister Mélanie Joly accompanied Hansen, marking her first CSA visit since her appointment. She framed the Artemis program as a catalyst for national resilience—spanning defence, health security, and climate-related crisis response—while reinforcing Canada’s ambition to play a leading role in space exploration.

As the countdown to Artemis II continues, the event with Canadian and international partners highlights a shared human drive: to explore the unknown, expand our knowledge, and push the frontiers of science. The 100-day mark to launch is not just a date; it’s a symbol of a nation ready to contribute to the next chapter of space exploration.