Astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who completed a mission around the moon in April, has decided to retire from the Canadian Space Agency’s astronaut corps. The Canadian Space Agency made the announcement of Hansen’s retirement today in a press release. Hansen, a Colonel, will be leaving his full-time role at the CSA in September 2026 to pursue new professional opportunities while continuing to serve as a reservist with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Hansen, along with NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, participated in the Artemis II mission where they orbited the moon in April. Hansen personally shared his retirement news on social media, expressing gratitude for his 32 years of military service and 17 years as a CSA astronaut, highlighting the privilege of being part of the Artemis II mission.
Reflecting on the Artemis II mission, Hansen mentioned various aspects he enjoyed, including the visual experiences and the unique human experience that stood out to him. Minister Melanie Joly commended Hansen’s historic achievement as the first Canadian to participate in a lunar mission, emphasizing how his accomplishments have inspired generations of Canadians.
Upon Hansen’s retirement, the CSA will have three active astronauts remaining: David Saint-Jacques, Joshua Kutryk, and Jenni Gibbons. Gibbons, who played a crucial role in mission control during the Artemis II mission, continues to contribute significantly to NASA. Kutryk is set to embark on a mission to the International Space Station as part of Crew-13 in September.
In his retirement message, Hansen expressed gratitude to the Canadian Armed Forces, CSA, NASA, international partners, and his family, thanking all Canadians for their support in the country’s pursuit of ambitious goals in space exploration.
