Astronaut Jeremy Hansen will end his career after a trip to the Moon
Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who in 2026 became the first person without U.S. citizenship to travel to lunar orbit, has announced the end of his active career as an astronaut. Starting in September, he will join the Canadian Space Agency’s (CSA) reserve corps to focus on the development of the space industry and innovation in Canada.
The 50-year-old colonel in the Royal Canadian Air Force emphasized that his decision does not mean a complete departure from space activities, but rather marks a new phase in his professional career.
“Our future depends on the continued pursuit of Canadian innovation and research in space. The technological breakthroughs and economic benefits generated in this sector are vital for our country and the world, and I am more determined than ever to advance this work,” said Jeremy Hansen.
Hansen took part in the historic Artemis 2 mission, which took place in April 2026. Together with NASA astronauts, the crew carried out the first crewed flight to the Moon in over 50 years, setting a record for the farthest distance from Earth ever traveled by humans.
During the 10-day mission, the astronauts observed a solar eclipse from lunar orbit and recorded meteor flashes on the Moon’s surface.
According to Hansen, this flight was a significant event not only for him personally but also for all of Canada.
“It’s really not about me. I feel immense pride for Canada. It was incredible to see NASA and the United States include our country as part of this mission. It’s not a favor—it’s because we bring real value,” the astronaut noted.
It took Jeremy Hansen 14 years to reach his historic flight. He joined the astronaut corps back in 2009, but due to the limited number of missions available to Canadian representatives, he received his first assignment only in 2023.
During that time, he trained new NASA crews, developed spacewalk procedures, and coordinated astronaut training.
Hansen’s transition to the reserve corps comes amid the active development of Canada’s space program. The country is investing 200 million Canadian dollars in the construction of a spaceport in Nova Scotia and is also working on the development of the Canadarm3 robotic arm for the future Gateway lunar station.
In addition, as early as September 2026, another Canadian astronaut, Josh Kutrik, is set to travel to the International Space Station as part of SpaceX’s Crew-13 mission.
Jeremy Hansen’s experience in international space cooperation and strategic planning is expected to help Canada strengthen its position among the world’s leading space nations.
This was reported by Space.
We also reported that NASA launched Artemis II: the first crewed flight to the Moon in 50 years
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman congratulated astronauts Reed, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy on their return home and highlighted the significance of their achievement for space exploration.
