Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen is set to travel around the moon as part of NASA’s Artemis II mission, which will mark humanity’s first journey that far from Earth in more than 50 years.
The mission will send astronauts around the moon and back as part of a test of critical spacecraft systems needed for future missions, including plans to return to the lunar surface.
Aviation experts say Artemis II represents a major step forward in human spaceflight.
Fanshawe College aviation professor Kelly Moffitt says the mission will take astronauts farther from Earth than any previous crewed mission.
“It’s actually going the furthest anybody’s ever gone, past the moon, doing a circle around it, and then coming back basically to Earth,” Moffitt said.
Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen is set to travel around the moon on NASA’s Artemis II mission. (Photo: Robert Markowitz/NASA JSC)
He said Artemis II will also test astronauts’ ability to operate for longer periods at greater distances from Earth.
Researchers at Western University say the mission is a key step toward a return to the moon.
“At its core, Artemis II is a test,” said Jack Hostrawser, a PhD candidate at Western University. “This is how we confirm that the systems are ready for future lunar missions.”
He added that future missions could allow scientists to explore parts of the moon that have not been studied as closely.
“Apollo missions were limited to areas near the lunar equator,” Hostrawser said. “Future missions could open entirely new regions for scientific discovery.”
Hansen, who was born in London, Ont., and raised in nearby Ingersoll, has drawn attention locally as the mission approaches.
Moffitt said Hansen’s role aboard the mission has sparked pride across the community.
“There’s a real sense of pride here,” Moffitt said. “People are constantly talking about what it means to see a local astronaut take part in a mission like this.”
NASA’s Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch April 1.
