A return to the Moon as a prelude to a conquest of Mars: after an interruption of more than half a century, the return of major manned space missions is upon us. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen will be in the front row as he prepares to fly over the Moon. I spoke with him to talk about his mission, but also about Canada’s future in space.
Published at 6:00 a.m.
Jeremy Hansen is preparing for a trip. A journey that will take him further than any human has ever gone.
With the Artemis II mission, it will go around the Moon in what will mark the great return of manned space missions in deep space. A first since Apollo 17 in 1972.
Scheduled for 2025, takeoff was postponed to April 2026 due to a heat shield issue. Jeremy Hansen, who exudes the aura of a man who would remain calm even if an asteroid were about to wipe out the Earth, is not the type to be upset by such a delay.
PHOTO JOE SKIPPER, ARCHIVES REUTERS
The astronauts of the Artemis II mission in front of the Orion capsule which will transport them into space to circle the Moon. From left, Pilot Victor Glover, Commander Reid Wiseman, and Mission Specialists Christina Hammock Koch and Jeremy Hansen.
Yes, the launch date is postponed, but the fact remains that the mission will be launched in less than a year and a half. I’m excited — and really busy.
Jeremy Hansen
Busy, because Jeremy Hansen and the three other crew members will be the first humans to fly aboard the Orion capsule and be propelled into space by the gigantic SLS launcher, to Space Launch System. Their grand tour of the Moon will also take them further from Earth than any human has ever ventured.
They must therefore know the smallest workings of these new systems.
“At the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, they are building the rocket. We will be there next week to speak with the technicians and see the different stages of construction. It’s good for us to become familiar with the capsule and understand its composition,” explains Jeremy Hansen during an interview in December.
PHOTO STEVE NESIUS, ARCHIVES REUTERS
The rocket’s main engine nozzles Space Launch System at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida
“Tomorrow, I’m spending the day in the simulator,” the astronaut continues to give an idea of his training. We are going to simulate the acceleration maneuver that will take us towards the Moon. »
Once the real liftoff takes place, the crew will test all the systems around Earth before racing towards the Moon to circle around and return. Duration of the mission: nine days.
Nine days during which the four astronauts will be confined within 9 m3 of the Orion capsule.
It’s a bit like camping in a van for nine days, but never leaving the van. It’s going to be something.
Jeremy Hansen
To illustrate the cramped conditions, the astronaut explains that an exercise machine reminiscent of a rowing machine will be available to astronauts to keep in shape.
“When a person uses this system, they take up most of the space in the capsule. The other three should be against the walls,” he says. The only place the astronauts will have some privacy is the tiny bathroom, which is accessed through a door in the floor.
Such proximity can bring challenges.
“We do training with psychologists to oil the dynamics of the team,” explains the astronaut. We are already a good team, but we are trying to do even better, to work on communication. We want to be able to resolve small problems before they become big ones. »
“It’s like a marriage: you can wait until there are problems or you can sort things out in advance,” he compares.
PHOTO STEVE NESIUS, ARCHIVES REUTERS
Members of the Artemis II mission crew and replacements during a media event at the Kennedy Space Center on December 16
Obviously, a space mission means risks, and Jeremy Hansen is not telling stories.
It could happen that we lose the crew. It’s a real possibility. That’s why I want to make sure my life is in order before launch.
Jeremy Hansen
This father of three adult children says he has no fear at the idea of leaving.
“It will probably come before the launch when I say goodbye to my wife and my children,” he said. But I have great confidence in the crew, the systems, the rocket, the capsule, the plans. »
Canada’s future in space
Jeremy Hansen makes me realize that only Americans have exceeded Earth’s orbit.
“Canada will become the second country in the world to send humans into deep space,” he said. I hope it will lead young Canadians to realize that we can do great things on the international scene if we have objectives and work together to achieve them. [atteindre]. »
“It also raises a question: what can we do next? I think this is an important issue for the country,” he continues.
Jeremy Hansen is convinced that Canada cannot rest on its laurels in the space sector.
It doesn’t just happen for us. We must continually set goals. We have done it well until now, but we must continue to push innovation.
Jeremy Hansen
He emphasizes that Canada will never be able to do everything. The country has distinguished itself in robotics, but Jeremy Hansen also sees possibilities in telemedicine and in research to grow food in difficult conditions.
PHOTO ANDRÉ PICHETTE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The Canadian arm is one of the best-known examples of Canadian expertise in robotics. Here, Jeremy Hansen presents the Canadian invention to the Canadian Space Agency.
“If we want to grow food on the Moon or Mars, we must be able to do it in northern Canada, for example. So it’s worth investing in organizing the Canadian capacity to innovate in these areas,” he says.
“Often, we create things for space and then hope to use them on Earth,” he emphasizes. But with health and food, we can create solutions for Earth and then use them in space. »
When I ask him what he’s most looking forward to, his legendary calm reveals a hint of excitement.
“The view,” answers Jeremy Hansen. I can’t wait to see the Moon up close, and see the Earth from the Moon’s perspective. It’s going to be amazing. »
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