Jeremy Hansen.Jeremy Hansen (OG)
Jeremy Hansen is a Canadian astronaut born on January 27, 1976, in London, Ontario. He grew up on a family farm near Ailsa Craig and developed an early passion for aviation, which led him to join the Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron at the age of twelve. Hansen pursued military training and education, earning a bachelor's degree in space science and a master's degree in physics from the Royal Military College of Canada. He served as a fighter pilot in the Canadian Armed Forces, gaining experience with the CF-18 aircraft and participating in NORAD operations.
In 2009, Hansen was nominated by the Canadian Space Agency as a potential astronaut and completed rigorous training, eventually becoming a communications expert for the International Space Station. His unique experiences included living underground and underwater to simulate space conditions. In 2017, he became the first Canadian to instruct NASA personnel. Hansen was selected for NASA's Artemis II mission, making history as the first Canadian to participate in a lunar mission, aimed at establishing a human presence on the moon and eventually enabling travel to Mars. Outside of his professional life, Hansen enjoys various outdoor activities and has a family with three children.
Jeremy Hansen
- Born: January 27, 1976
Background
Astronaut Jeremy Hansen was born on January 27, 1976, in London, Ontario, Canada. He grew up near the small town of Ailsa Craig, Ontario, where his family operated a farm. As a teenager, Hansen moved to Ingersoll, Ontario. He developed a fascination with flight and aeronautics early in life, and in 1988, when he was just twelve, he joined the 614 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron.
After four years with this group, Hansen earned his Air Cadet ranking in Trenton, Ontario. The following year, 1993, he moved on to earning his private pilot qualifications. He was only seventeen years old at the time, but his keen interest and years of experience in aviation, along with his growing dedication and confidence, helped reserve him a seat at the Collège Militaire Royal (Royal Military College) Saint-Jean, located in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec. There, he underwent a rigorous officer training program, with the goal of joining the Canadian Armed Forces.
In 1999, Hansen graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada, in Kingston, Ontario, with a bachelor’s degree in space science. He graduated with First Class honors and received an award for being the top student from the Air Cadet League. He elected to stay at the Royal Military College for another year, during which he earned a master’s degree in physics in 2000. During this year of study, he focused on learning about satellite tracking systems, a technology that would prove valuable to many of his later accomplishments.
Career in Aviation and Space Flight
In the early 2000s, Hansen served with the Canadian Armed Forces in a variety of positions. In 2003, he completed his training as a fighter pilot, learning to control the McDonnell Douglas CF-18 aircraft. From 2004 to 2009, he served primarily in these aircraft in various Canadian flight squadrons, including the 441st and 409th Tactical Fighter Squadrons. Later, Hansen joined the 4 Wing Operations as combat operations officer, a role that required him to oversee many missions, including those in the Arctic regions. He also helped to coordinate North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) activities.
During his time as combat operations officer, Hansen came to the attention of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). In 2009, CSA officials nominated him as a potential new astronaut as part of their third recruitment campaign. Leaping for this new challenge, Hansen underwent extensive preparation through the Astronaut Candidate Training program. Following that, he took on his first role in the CSA’s space program, as a communications expert who helped connect Mission Control on Earth with astronauts circling Earth aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
In preparation for possible activities in space, Hansen underwent some unusual training exercises. In 2013, he lived under the earth for six days as part of the CAVES Program, sponsored by the European Space Agency. The next year, he spent seven days deep under the ocean in the NEEMO 19 underwater habitat known as Aquarius. These experiences served to approximate some of the unique conditions and challenges of space travel. During this period, he also remained active with the Canadian Air Force, and on a memorable occasion flew an F-86 Sabre jet.
With his experiences and credentials growing, Hansen was selected in 2017 to teach National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) personnel, the first Canadian to reach that position. After about six years as an astronaut instructor, Hansen received important news. He had been selected to join the team for NASA’s Artemis II mission. Artemis II, which would follow the uncrewed Artemis I mission of 2022, was designed to bring a crew of four astronauts to the moon.
This mission was considered critical to the success of the overall Artemis program, which planned to establish a headquarters on the moon with the ultimate goal of allowing astronauts to travel to Mars. With Hansen set to serve as mission specialist, his fellow crewmembers were announced as NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch. His involvement in the mission provided Hansen with the opportunity to become the first member of the CSA, and the first Canadian, to participate in a lunar mission.
Impact
Hansen has dedicated much of his life to advancing aviation, science, and space exploration. His announcement as a member of the Artemis II crew made him part of a historic lunar mission, as humans had not flown to the moon since 1972. He also aimed to inspire younger people, especially younger Canadians, to strive for ambitious goals such as spaceflight.
Personal Life
Hansen and his wife had three children. In his free time, he enjoyed a variety of sports and outdoor activities, including mountain biking and rock climbing. He also spent time boating and participated in sailboat trips and races.
Bibliography
“The Artemis Program: Humanity’s Return to the Moon.” Government of Canada, 27 Mar. 2024, www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronomy/moon-exploration/artemis-missions.asp. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.
“The Artemis II Mission.” Government of Canada, 1 May 2024, www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/missions/artemis-ii/mission.asp. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.
“Biography of Jeremy Hansen.” Government of Canada, 8 Feb. 2024, www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronauts/canadian/active/bio-jeremy-hansen.asp. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.
Isai, Vjosa. “Canada’s Moonshot Moment.” The New York Times, 8 Apr. 2023, www.nytimes.com/2023/04/08/world/canada/nasa-artemis-jeremy-hansen.html. Accessed 30 Apr. 2023.
“Jeremy Hansen.” The Planetary Society, www.planetary.org/profiles/jeremy-hansen. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.
McDonald, Bob. “Jeremy Hansen’s Flight around the Moon Is a Continuation of Canada’s Participation in the Space Program.” CBC Radio, 6 Apr. 2023, www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/blog/jeremy-hansen-s-flight-around-the-moon-is-a-continuation-of-canada-s-participation-in-the-space-program-1.6803679. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.