Who has ever dreamed of going to space? Since 1983, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has received nearly 18,000 applications. In total, Canada recruited 14 astronauts over four campaigns. Only nine of them participated in 17 space missions.
If the selection remains so harsh, it is because the job is demanding, but also potentially dangerous. Imagine yourself in space held by a rope as you spacewalk from the International Space Station. Not to mention all the dangers between takeoff, returning to Earth, including a trip into orbit to test a rocket.
The next Canadian to fly to space is Jeremy Hansen. A fighter pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force, he was selected by the CSA in 2009 at the same time as David Saint-Jacques.
“According to my mother, I was five years old when I saw photos of astronauts on the Moon. I changed my tree house for a rocket,” confides Jeremy Hansen, in an interview with The sun.
He will participate in the Artemis II mission. This will be the first crewed test flight of the Artemis program, a multi-mission campaign to permanently settle on the Moon and pave the way for manned exploration of Mars.
Beyond the risks
The astronaut is well aware of the risks of his job. But the “excitement of exploration” has always been stronger.
“I watched all the space missions. I had a dream and for me it was obvious that it was worth it,” he says.
For his mission around the Moon, American astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Hammock Koch will accompany Mr. Hansen.
The Artemis II crew, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Hammock Koch and Jeremy Hansen. (Kim Shiflett/NASA)
They will be responsible for ensuring that all of the Orion spacecraft’s systems operate as designed. They will live and work aboard Orion throughout their spaceflight.
“The rocket is equipped, among other things, with new systems for survival and manual control. When we do things for the first time, there are always things we don’t know. So there are risks that come with it,” he explains.
“For example, we could hit something in space or explode. Launch and landing are moments during the mission that involve a lot of risk.”
— Jeremy Hansen
The rocket will be equipped with the largest capsule ever built. During the Artemis I mission (uncrewed), NASA noticed certain problems, which is why Jeremy Hansen’s mission was postponed until September 2025.
Family support
Father of three children, Mr. Hansen could not practice his profession without the support of his family, he believes.
“They understand why I got involved. How important it is for me, the country, humanity! As a father, I listen to my children’s answers when they are asked questions about me to find out the truth. For the moment, they are mostly excited, but the closer the launch gets, the more they will realize the risks, I am aware of that.
— Jeremy Hansen
In order to prepare them, a family trip was planned a few days after the interview with The sun to the Kennedy Space Center to see the launch site.
“The worst thing for me would be if people think it’s not worth it and that we should stop exploring because the risks are too great. Please, if anything happens, keep prospecting. Fix the problems with the rocket and send a new crew,” asks Jeremy Hansen.
One day perhaps astronauts will land on Mars.
