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Astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who voyaged around the moon in April, is retiring from the astronaut corps at the Canadian Space Agency.
The agency announced Hansen’s exit this afternoon in a news release.
“Today, the Government of Canada is recognizing Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Colonel Jeremy Hansen’s outstanding contribution to Canada’s space program. Colonel Hansen has announced that he will pursue new professional opportunities beginning in September 2026 while also continuing to serve as a Reservist with the Royal Canadian Air Force.”
Hansen, along with NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, flew around the moon in April as part of the Artemis II mission.
Hansen took to social media on to make the announcement of his CSA retirement himself.
“This September, after 32 years of military service and 17 years as a Canadian Space Agency astronaut — culminating in the incredible privilege of flying around the Moon on Artemis II — I will be transitioning from my full-time role at the CSA.
“This is far from a departure. My commitment to seeing Canada thrive remains absolute. To ensure continuity in this mission, the Royal Canadian Air Force is enabling my transition into a Reservist role. This unique position is a deliberate launchpad designed to leave the door open for creative, ongoing ways to support and enable the vital work happening in Canada with respect to space, and I’m excited for the new challenges it will bring.”
Hansen was recruited in 2009 along with David Saint-Jacques and graduated from astronaut candidate training in 2011. He has worked at NASA mission control and trained rigorously in the years ahead of Artemis II.
Upon reflection on the Artemis II mission, Hansen told CBC News that there were a lot of things that he enjoyed.
“There’s a list of visuals [and] the physical experiences, riding the rocket uphill and coming down in the capsule, they’re all so cool,” he said.
But he added, “The human experience is what tops it, though.”
Melanie Joly, minister of industry and minister responsible for economic development for Quebec regions, celebrated Hansen’s achievements.
“Colonel Jeremy Hansen made history as the first Canadian to take part in a lunar mission, an achievement that has inspired every generation of Canadian. His extraordinary achievements have not only advanced Canada’s role in space exploration but have shown young Canadians what is possible when talent, determination and ambition are matched with opportunity,” she said in part.
Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen shared a moment on stage with the rest of the astronauts from the Artemis II crew as they spoke for the first time since making it home safely after a historic trip around the moon.
After Hansen’s retirement in September, there will be three active astronauts at the CSA: David Saint-Jacques, Joshua Kutryk and Jenni Gibbons.
Gibbons was working at mission control at the Johnson Space Center for the Artemis II mission and continues to play a vital role at NASA.
Kutryk is scheduled to head to the International Space Station in September as part of Crew-13.
At the end of his social media post about his retirement, Hansen said: “To the Canadian Armed Forces, the CSA, NASA, our international partners, and my family: thank you. And to all Canadians: thank you for believing in what our country can achieve when we aim high.”
