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Jeremy Hansen (astronaut)

Jeremy Hansen is a Canadian astronaut and Royal Canadian Air Force colonel who served as a mission specialist on NASA’s Artemis II mission.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jeremy Hansen is a Canadian astronaut and Royal Canadian Air Force colonel who served as a mission specialist on NASA’s Artemis II mission. In 2026, he became the first Canadian and first non-American to travel to the vicinity of the Moon, and his first spaceflight set a human distance record from Earth.

Early life and education

Jeremy Hansen was born in London, Ontario, Canada, on January 27, 1976. He is a Canadian astronaut and Royal Canadian Air Force colonel. Publicly available biographical sources do not provide a complete education history.

Astronaut career

Hansen was selected by the Canadian Space Agency in 2009. He later served in roles supporting spaceflight training and operations. He is also a Royal Canadian Air Force colonel. He became widely known as one of the astronauts chosen for Artemis II.

Artemis II mission

Artemis II was the first crewed test flight of the Orion spacecraft and the first crewed mission to travel around the Moon since the Apollo era. Hansen flew as a mission specialist. The mission launched on April 1, 2026, and returned to Earth after a lunar flyby on April 10, 2026. Hansen became the first Canadian to travel to the vicinity of the Moon.

Record-setting flight

During Artemis II, Hansen and his crewmates traveled farther from Earth than any previous humans, breaking the Apollo 13 distance record. The mission also marked Hansen’s first spaceflight.

Key facts

  • Selected by the Canadian Space Agency in 2009.
  • Served as a mission specialist on Artemis II, the first crewed test flight of NASA’s Orion spacecraft.
  • Became the first Canadian to travel to the Moon’s vicinity and the first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit.
  • The Artemis II crew set a record for the farthest distance humans had traveled from Earth.
  • Hansen is also a Royal Canadian Air Force colonel.
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Canadian context

Hansen is a major figure in Canadian space history because he became the first Canadian to travel to the vicinity of the Moon and represented Canada on the Artemis II lunar mission.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Jeremy Hansen?
Jeremy Hansen is a Canadian astronaut and Royal Canadian Air Force colonel who flew on NASA’s Artemis II mission.
What was Jeremy Hansen’s first spaceflight?
His first spaceflight was Artemis II in 2026.
What did Jeremy Hansen achieve on Artemis II?
He became the first Canadian and first non-American to travel to the vicinity of the Moon.
Where was Jeremy Hansen born?
He was born in London, Ontario, Canada.
When was Jeremy Hansen selected as an astronaut?
He was selected by the Canadian Space Agency in 2009.
Did Artemis II set any records?
Yes. The crew set a record for the farthest distance humans had traveled from Earth.

References

  1. Canadian Space Agency — https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronauts/canadian/active/bio-jeremy-hansen.asp
    Supports: Official biography; Artemis II role; first Canadian to travel to the Moon’s vicinity.
  2. Government of Canada / Canadian Space Agency — https://www.canada.ca/en/space-agency/news/2026/07/canada-recognizes-the-career-and-achievements-of-canadian-space-agency-astronaut-jeremy-hansen.html
    Supports: Selection in 2009; Artemis II assignment; lunar flight details; first Canadian and first non-American on a lunar mission.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jeremy-Hansen
    Supports: Birth date and place; Artemis II mission; first spaceflight; record distance traveled from Earth.