Artemis II astronaut Jeremy Hansen to depart Canadian Space Agency

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen will leave the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in September 2026, months after his historic flight on the Artemis II mission. Hansen, who became the first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit, will remain a reservist in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Source: infobae, CNN

What happened

Hansen announced his departure on Monday via social media, describing it as an opportunity to take an “important next step” while keeping the door open for continued involvement in Canada's space sector. Source: CNN The CSA confirmed the move, stating that Hansen “will seek new professional opportunities.” Source: infobae The agency now has three active astronauts: David Saint-Jacques, Joshua Kutryk, and Jenni Gibbons. Source: CNN

The mission and reactions

Artemis II, crewed by Hansen and NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, and Victor Glover, flew 1.1 million kilometers around the Moon from April 1–10, 2026, setting a record for the farthest human distance from Earth at 406,771 km. Source: infobae, CNN Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney praised Hansen for uniting Canadians and making history by venturing to the far side of the Moon. Source: infobae, CNN Hansen’s wife Catherine noted that he “has not finished. Not even close,” hinting at broader future roles. Source: CNN

What's next

Hansen has not specified his next steps, but both sources emphasize his intention to continue supporting space exploration from the private sector or other roles. His retirement from the CSA marks a transition, not an end, to his contributions. Source: infobae, CNN