Astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who recently completed a lunar orbit mission in April, has decided to retire from his position in the Canadian Space Agency. The announcement of his departure was made public by the agency in a press release today.
Hansen, a respected figure in the Canadian space program, will be stepping down to pursue new career opportunities starting in September 2026. Despite his retirement, he plans to continue serving as a reservist with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
In April, Hansen, alongside NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, embarked on the Artemis II mission, where they flew around the moon. Hansen personally revealed his retirement through social media, expressing gratitude for his 32 years of military service and 17 years as a CSA astronaut.
Reflecting on his involvement in the Artemis II mission, Hansen shared his appreciation for the unique experiences and visuals he encountered during the journey. Minister Melanie Joly commended Hansen for his historic participation in the lunar mission, emphasizing his inspirational impact on future generations of Canadians.
Following his retirement, the Canadian Space Agency will have three active astronauts remaining: David Saint-Jacques, Joshua Kutryk, and Jenni Gibbons. Kutryk is set to travel to the International Space Station in September as part of Crew-13.
In his farewell message, Hansen expressed gratitude to the Canadian Armed Forces, CSA, NASA, international partners, and fellow Canadians for their support and belief in the country’s potential in space exploration.
