Jeremy Hansen

Jeremy Hansen is a Canadian astronaut, former fighter pilot, and colonel in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Born in London, Ontario, he grew up in Ingersoll and Ailsa Craig, developing a passion for aviation from an early age. He earned a Bachelor of Science in space science from the Royal Military College of Canada in 1999 before becoming a CF-18 fighter pilot and later serving as a combat operations officer in the RCAF.

In 2009, Hansen was selected as an astronaut by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) as part of NASA’s 20th astronaut class, making him one of only a few Canadians chosen for spaceflight training. Over the years, he participated in extensive training, including spacewalk simulations, robotics, and survival exercises. Though he had not yet flown to space, Hansen took on key leadership roles at NASA, including serving as the first Canadian to be in charge of astronaut training at the Johnson Space Center.

In 2023, Hansen was selected as a mission specialist for Artemis II, the first crewed mission to the Moon since the Apollo era. Scheduled for launch in 2025, this historic mission will make him the first Canadian astronaut to travel beyond low Earth orbit.

Throughout his career, Hansen has been a strong advocate for space education and STEM outreach, inspiring young Canadians to pursue careers in science and engineering. His contributions to space exploration and leadership within the astronaut corps have made him a key figure in Canada’s space program.