Astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who recently completed a mission around the moon in April, has decided to retire from the Canadian Space Agency’s astronaut corps. The announcement of his retirement was made by the agency through a news release issued this afternoon.
In a statement, the Canadian government acknowledged Colonel Jeremy Hansen’s significant contributions to Canada’s space program. Hansen shared that he will be exploring new career opportunities starting in September 2026 while also maintaining a role as a reservist with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Hansen, alongside NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, participated in the Artemis II mission where they orbited the moon in April. Hansen personally disclosed his retirement from the CSA on social media.
Reflecting on his career, Hansen expressed gratitude for his 32 years of military service and 17 years as a Canadian Space Agency astronaut, culminating in the remarkable experience of traveling around the Moon during the Artemis II mission. He emphasized that his transition to a reservist position with the Royal Canadian Air Force is not a complete departure but a strategic move to support ongoing space-related endeavors in Canada.
Recruited in 2009 alongside David Saint-Jacques, Hansen completed astronaut candidate training in 2011. He has served at NASA mission control and underwent extensive training leading up to the Artemis II mission.
Hansen shared his experiences from the Artemis II mission with CBC News, highlighting the awe-inspiring visuals and physical sensations of space travel. He emphasized that the most profound aspect of the journey was the human experience.
Melanie Joly, minister of industry and minister responsible for economic development for Quebec regions, commended Hansen’s accomplishments, noting his historic feat as the first Canadian to participate in a lunar mission, inspiring generations of Canadians.
Following Hansen’s retirement, the Canadian Space Agency will have three active astronauts: David Saint-Jacques, Joshua Kutryk, and Jenni Gibbons. Gibbons played a pivotal role in mission control during the Artemis II mission and remains integral to NASA’s operations. Kutryk is slated to join the International Space Station crew in September for Crew-13.
In his farewell message, Hansen expressed gratitude to the Canadian Armed Forces, CSA, NASA, international partners, and his family, thanking all Canadians for their support in advancing the country’s space exploration endeavors.