Astronaut Jeremy Hansen leaving Canadian Space Agency

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen discusses his pride in wearing the Canadian flag during the Artemis II mission at the Canada Day celebration in Ottawa.

Astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who made a historic trip around the moon aboard NASA’s Artemis 2 mission in April, is leaving the Canadian Space Agency.

A statement released by the agency today says Hansen will pursue “new professional opportunities” as of September. 

He will continue to serve as a reservist with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

The four-person Artemis II crew — commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and mission specialists Hansen and Christina Koch — were the first human beings to go to the moon in more than 50 years.

On the trip, Hansen became the first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit and the first person to speak French while en route to the moon.

Hansen, 50, of London, Ont., was a fighter pilot when he was recruited by the Canadian Space Agency in 2009. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 6, 2026.

—With files from Kelly Geraldine Malone