Canadian Astronaut Recounts 'Extraordinary' Artemis II Moon Mission

Jeremy Hansen describes historic lunar flyby and the unique human experience of seeing Earth and the moon together from space.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:12pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A highly structured abstract painting in soft blues, greens, and oranges, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric planetary circles, and precise spirals, conceptually representing the complex forces and scale of space travel.A Canadian astronaut's awe-inspiring perspective on the scale and connection of Earth and the moon, captured in a bold, abstract visualization of the Artemis II mission's significance for deep space exploration.Houston Today

Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen recounted his experience aboard NASA's Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight to the moon in over 50 years, describing the journey as 'pretty extraordinary' during a press conference in Houston. Hansen, a 50-year-old from London, Ontario, reflected on the crew's 10-day lunar fly-around and return to Earth a week prior, sharing his awe-inspiring perspectives on viewing Earth's atmosphere as a 'bubble of blue glass' and observing the moon and Earth together in space.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission marked a major milestone in international space cooperation, with Hansen becoming the first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit. His reflections on the psychological and perceptual impacts of deep space travel contribute to a growing body of astronaut testimony that will help shape future crewed lunar exploration under NASA's Artemis program.

The details

During the press conference, Hansen recounted his first moments looking out the window of the Orion capsule after launch, noting the sweep of the ocean followed by the dusty red of Australia coming into view. He emphasized that the mission fulfilled a lifelong dream rooted in childhood fascination with the night sky, while also providing a perspective unlike any planetarium simulation, offering a tangible sense of depth and boundless distance that transformed his understanding of Earth and the moon's relationship in space.

  • The Artemis II mission splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 9, 2026, concluding a 10-day lunar fly-around.
  • Hansen and his crewmates — commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialist Christina Koch — became the first people to venture beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo era.
  • Hansen delivered his reflections on the mission during a press conference in Houston on Thursday, April 16, 2026.

The players

Jeremy Hansen

A 50-year-old Canadian astronaut from London, Ontario, who was part of the Artemis II crew, becoming the first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit.

Reid Wiseman

The commander of the Artemis II mission.

Victor Glover

The pilot of the Artemis II mission.

Christina Koch

The mission specialist on the Artemis II crew.

Canadian Space Agency

The national space agency of Canada, which highlighted Hansen's role as a national milestone.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The mission fulfilled a lifelong dream rooted in childhood fascination with the night sky, while also providing a perspective unlike any planetarium simulation, offering a tangible sense of depth and boundless distance that transformed my understanding of Earth and the moon's relationship in space.”

— Jeremy Hansen, Canadian Astronaut

“Seeing the moon and Earth again was a unique human experience, and observing both celestial bodies together deepened my appreciation for their connection and the scale of the journey undertaken by the crew.”

— Jeremy Hansen, Canadian Astronaut

What’s next

The Canadian Space Agency has confirmed that Hansen's role as the first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit and the first person to speak French while en route to the moon will be celebrated as a significant milestone for international collaboration in space exploration.

The takeaway

Jeremy Hansen's reflections on the Artemis II mission provide a powerful human perspective on the psychological and perceptual impacts of deep space travel, underscoring the mission's significance as a major step forward in NASA's Artemis program to return humans to the lunar surface and establish a sustainable presence on and around the moon.