Astronaut Jeremy Hansen made history as the first Canadian to embark on a journey to the Moon. Together with the Artemis II crew, they successfully performed the translunar ignition to advance their lunar expedition. Following approximately 25 hours in Earth’s orbit, NASA verified that all critical systems of the Orion spacecraft were functioning correctly, allowing Artemis II to proceed on its course.
The Orion capsule departed Earth’s orbit as planned and set course for the moon, which is nearly 400,000 kilometers away. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman expressed excitement, stating, “America is back in the business of sending astronauts to the moon, this time, farther than before.”
This significant engine firing marked the first for a space crew since Apollo 17’s final moon mission in 1972. NASA officials described the burn as “flawless” during a subsequent news conference. Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, confirmed the crew’s well-being and spacecraft’s excellent performance.
Speaking from the Orion capsule, Hansen conveyed optimism for the future, emphasizing the collective achievements of humanity. He shared their awe-inspiring view from the windows, describing it as “phenomenal.” The crew underwent tests on their capsule’s life-support systems before being cleared for lunar departure by NASA.
The Artemis II mission serves as a precursor to NASA’s ambitious plans for establishing a moon base and enabling sustained human presence on the lunar surface. The crew, including Commander Reid Wiseman and pilot Victor Glover, will surpass the Apollo distance record set in 1970 as they navigate past the moon and return directly to Earth.
Canadian reporters will engage in a live space-to-Earth connection with Hansen during the Canadian Space Agency’s upcoming event, where he will provide insights on the mission and address inquiries. The crew’s next significant milestone will be the lunar flyby scheduled for Monday.