After a 16-year-long wait, Jeremy Hansen finally had his chance to venture into space. His journey began back in 2009 when he was recruited alongside David Saint-Jacques. Hansen shared his experiences with CBC News at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Initially, Hansen never imagined his mission would involve a flight around the moon, given the changes in NASA’s space program over the years.
On April 1, Hansen found himself atop NASA’s powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with fellow crew members Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, all bound for the moon. The ride was exhilarating, reminiscent of the Apollo era, with Hansen thoroughly enjoying the launch and ascent.
Despite the common occurrence of space sickness among astronauts, Hansen was fortunate to avoid it during his journey. However, he did experience discomfort due to bodily fluid shifts in the absence of gravity. To counter this, Hansen utilized a thigh cuff to alleviate the sensation of fullness in his head.
During the mission, the crew encountered challenges such as managing a quirky water system and dealing with unexpected lighting issues inside the capsule. Despite these minor setbacks, Hansen and his team successfully completed their test mission, documenting their experiences for future reference.
Reflecting on his short but eventful journey, Hansen emphasized the profound human connection forged through the mission. He cherished the physical and visual aspects of the expedition, but above all, he valued the shared experience and support from people back on Earth.
As he readjusts to Earth’s gravity post-mission, Hansen remains grateful for the opportunity and the overwhelming positive response from the global community following their return.