Canada's Artemis 2 astronaut says his country is just getting started in lunar realms with his round-the-moon mission.
Jeremy Hansen was named Canada's representative on Artemis 2 on April 3, and within days the experienced test pilot found himself exploring new worlds as a result: speaking with Stephen Colbert, walking the red carpet at Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, participating in an Indigenous vision quest, visiting policy-makers in Canada and the U.S., and carrying the flag at the coronation of Charles III.
After this work to connect with numerous communities touched by space, the Artemis 2 crew officially began training on May 15, studying the control systems and computers of the Orion spacecraft and other technical matters.
In a few months, however the training timeline "gets a little fuzzy" as this will be the first moon crew in a half-century. The crew is awaiting direction, as well as development of simulators and procedures, from senior management. "For developmental missions, that's to be expected," Hansen told Space.com in an exclusive interview.
Related: Jeremy Hansen: Artemis 2 Canadian astronaut will fly around the moon
But there are a few things Hansen is sure about for himself and his three crewmates, all NASA astronauts: commander Reid Wiseman, mission specialist Christina Koch, and pilot Victor Glover.
There will be geology training to prepare for looking at moon craters, potentially with Canadian crater expert Gordon Osinski with whom Hansen recently discovered a rare Earth crater on a previous expedition. There also will be continued conversations with Canadian and American policy-makers to chart out the path after Artemis 2, Hansen emphasized.
"Eventually, you'll see us doing amazing science and deep space," Hansen said. "You'll see a Canadian walk on the moon someday, and eventually go to Mars, because we have that ability to to do it in a way that brings benefits to Canadians."
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has suggested that Canada will have seats on Artemis 4 and 6, which are both planned moon-landing missions slated to run around the end of the decade.
CSA's director of space exploration development, Martin Bergeron, disclosed those early stage discussions at the Canadian Lunar Workshop in late May, according to SpaceQ. (The first landing mission, Artemis 3, may be in 2025 or 2026.)
Related: Artemis 2's Canadian astronaut got moon mission seat with 'potato salad'
Hansen has been with the CSA since 2009 and has not yet been granted a seat, as Canada's International Space Station (ISS) contribution of 2.3 percent generally allows for a mission only every half decade or so. (Canada's Chris Hadfield flew in 2012-13 on a mission assigned before Hansen was qualified for space, and then fellow 2009 astronaut class member David Saint-Jacques flew in 2018-19.)
But Hansen is known in the space community for helming high-profile projects, such as managing the training schedules of the entire 2017 astronaut class, and playing a lead role in the creation four tricky spacewalks to repair the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer aboard the ISS.
Many in Canada therefore pegged Hansen as the logical choice to launch on Artemis 2, but he said that was not a sure thing until he received a phone call from CSA president Lisa Campbell about two weeks before the April 3 announcement.
"I've known for a while that was sort of the intent, where we thought things would end up, so I wasn't completely surprised," Hansen said of the assignment. "But on the other hand, you just never know. It depends on when a mission actually is going to end up going, and there's always that uncertainty. We don't decide any further in advance than when we have to, because it just takes away options."
Related: Canada's Artemis 2 astronaut was named after a 14-year-wait for space
Canada received its seat due to its contribution of Canadarm3, a next generation robotic arm that will service NASA's planned Gateway space station at the moon. Canada has paid for its seats through the Canadarm series since the dawn of the space shuttle program, and recently allocated even more space money for a mini-moon rover, a lunar utility vehicle and further moon research development.
The country, which has about 40 million people spread across one of the biggest land spaces in the world, uses its small space budget to make strategic bets meant to pay off big. Robotics is one area, with space medicine, space food and artificial intelligence also seen as key investments for Canadian government.
Hansen emphasized this coalition work with NASA is important, not only for space opportunities but for the applications for remote environments on Earth.
"I'm really proud of this enormous team. I get to be the face of it for this mission, but it really reflects back on a huge team of people that made this possible," Hansen said. "It's Canada on the world stage. American leadership makes space for a country like Canada to shine, and bring our genius."
Indeed, Canadians collaborated with NASA on moon exploration long before CSA was formed in March 1989. For example: A few dozen engineers of the cancelled Avro Arrow, a supersonic plane project, joined NASA in key roles as the agency was preparing human moon missions in the 1960s. Also, Canadian "legs" from company Devtek (today's Hroux-Devtek) were used on the Apollo lunar lander during all human missions.
Read the rest here:
Artemis 2 astronaut Jeremy Hansen says a Canadian will walk on ... - Space.com
- Space Shuttle STS-118 Endeavour Space Station Assembly ISS-13A.1 S5 Truss 2007 NASA - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Hurricane Isaac Spied By International Space Station | Video - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Raw Video: Space Station View of Isaac - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Station Crew Member Discusses Life in Space with Japanese Media (English Translated Version) - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Station Crew Discusses Life in Space With Social Media Followers - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Earth Illuminated: ISS Time-lapse Photography - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- LIVE From The International Space Station 1080i Full HD - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- ISS Progress 47 Re-docks to Space Station - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- FreeOK2 - Seth Andrews "Scrabble on the Space Station" - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Raw Video: International Space Station at Night - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Cargo Ship Undocks From Space Station - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Mission Highlights: SpaceX's Dragon Makes History - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Soyuz Launches to Space Station - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- [ISS] Manned Soyuz TMA-03M Departs Space Station - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- China's space station dream one step closer - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Space Station Live! Tour - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- SpaceX Dragon Capsule Hatch Opening from International Space Station (ISS) HD 5/26/2012 - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Space Station Crew Welcomes World's First Commercial Cargo Craft - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- SpaceX capsule docks with space station - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- [SpaceX] Dragon Berthed to Space Station - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- How a toothbrush helped fix the space station [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2012]
- MacGyver in space? Astronauts fix space station with toothbrush. (+video) [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2012]
- MacGyver in space? Astronauts fix space station with toothbrush. [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2012]
- MacGuyver in space? Astronauts fix space station with toothbrush. [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2012]
- Space station's toothbrush fix; astronaut breaks spacewalk record [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2012]
- Astronauts repair space station with help of toothbrush [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2012]
- Space Station fixed with $3 toothbrush [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2012]
- Global student space experiments transformed [Last Updated On: September 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2012]
- Student Biology Investigations Stream Live On YouTube Space Lab [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2012]
- Japanese cargo ship leaves space station [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2012]
- YouTube Space Lab: Bill Nye, contest winners, share results as streamed from space [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2012]
- LIVE from the Space Station: Gotta-See Video [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2012]
- Making music in outer space [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2012]
- Space Station Spin-Off Could Protect Mars-Bound Astronauts From Radiation [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2012]
- Female astronaut takes command of space station [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2012]
- 3 space station astronauts return to Earth tonight [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2012]
- Soyuz brings three station fliers home to pinpoint landing [Last Updated On: September 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2012]
- International Space Station Astronauts Land Safely in Kazakhstan [Last Updated On: September 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2012]
- Space Station 'nauts touch down on Kazakh steppe [Last Updated On: September 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2012]
- International Space Station: Formal handover of power - Video [Last Updated On: September 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2012]
- NASA astronaut Sunita Williams completes first-ever space triathalon [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2012]
- Astronauts Return From Space Station, As An American Takes Command [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2012]
- Photos: Space Station's Expedition 33 Mission [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2012]
- New, Compact Body Scanner Ready for Space Station [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2012]
- SpaceX launch to space station is Oct. 7 [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2012]
- NASA: Dragon prepared for space flight [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2012]
- SpaceX, NASA target Oct. 7 launch for resupply mission to International Space Station [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2012]
- Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield launch to space station pushed back two weeks [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2012]
- Computer glitch delays space station undocking [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2012]
- Space station at risk of debris hit [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2012]
- Orbital debris sets off space station alert [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2012]
- Space station on alert [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2012]
- NASA offers opportunity to use communications testbed on space station [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2012]
- Back-to-back near-misses on space station [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2012]
- Huge cargo ship undocks from space station [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2012]
- Russians face up to their space crisis [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2012]
- Private SpaceX Rocket Test-Fires Engines for Space Station Trip [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2012]
- NASA Plan to Build Space Station Beyond the Moon Criticized [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2012]
- New Private Rocket Arrives at Virginia Launch Pad for Tests [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2012]
- Singer Sarah Brightman Outbids NASA for Space Tourist's Seat [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- Space station in no need to move to avoid debris [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- NASA considering deep-space station on moon [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- NASA Mulls Deep-Space Station on Moon's Far Side [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- Space Station to Move to Avoid Debris [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- 1st Year-Long Space Station Mission May Launch in 2015: Reports [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- Space Tourist Outbids NASA for Flight [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- International Space Station safe from orbiting space debris [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- SpaceX encore: 2nd private space station shipment [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- How 'The Big Bang Theory' Sent Howard Wolowitz to Space [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Space Station-Bound SpaceX Dragon Capsule Gets Mission Patch [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- SpaceX plans historic flight to International Space Station Sunday [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- How 'Big Bang's' Howard flew to space [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Canada unveils two new space 'Canadarms' [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- How SpaceX Will Keep the Space Station in Business [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Canada Unveils Next-Generation Robotic Arms for Spaceships [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Space station-bound SpaceX rocket to launch Sunday [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- SpaceX set for its first cargo run to space station [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2012]
- One Year In Space: US-Russian Crew Launching Audacious Spaceflight in 2015 [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2012]
- SpaceX ready to resupply space station [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2012]
- Private space station delivery to launch Sunday [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2012]