Jeremy Hansen and Artemis II Crew Inspire Canada in Call With Mark Carney

Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with the Artemis II crew on April 8, 2026, during a live space-to-Earth connection as the Orion spacecraft began its return journey to Earth following a historic lunar flyby.

The communication served as a congratulatory call to the mission members and a recognition of the technical and collaborative milestones achieved during the flight. As of April 9, 2026, the Orion capsule is speeding back toward Earth after looping around the moon and breaking distance records.

The Artemis II Crew and Mission Milestones

The Artemis II crew is composed of commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Colonel Jeremy Hansen. The mission represents a significant leap in deep space exploration, specifically through the use of the Orion spacecraft to conduct a lunar flyby.

Colonel Jeremy Hansen achieved a major milestone during the mission, becoming the first Canadian to travel into deep space. This occurred when the Orion spacecraft left Earth’s orbit en route to the moon.

During the call on April 8, 2026, Prime Minister Carney praised the mission as a unique example for the world and beyond of the achievements possible through international collaboration.

The example that you’re showing of how to reach literally for the stars — reach for the moon … it’s hugely inspiring

Prime Minister Mark Carney

Canadian Contributions and National Pride

The Prime Minister informed Colonel Hansen that Canada is proud of his achievements in deep space. In response, Hansen stated that he was proud of his country and the specific contributions Canada has provided to the broader effort of space exploration.

Beyond the technical achievements, the call highlighted cultural milestones, with Prime Minister Carney noting that hearing the French language spoken from space was a point of pride.

The impact of the mission extended to the families of the crew. Dr. Catherine Hansen expressed her hope that the mission would serve as a source of inspiration for everyone.

Collaborative Frameworks in Deep Space

A central theme of the communication was the importance of teamwork. Prime Minister Carney applauded the Artemis II crew for providing an inspiring example of how collaboration functions in the extreme environment of space.

The mission’s success is viewed as a testament to the coordination between the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and other international partners. To further celebrate these achievements, Prime Minister Carney extended an invitation to the Artemis II crew to visit Canada once the mission is fully complete.

The Orion spacecraft’s trajectory, which involved leaving Earth’s orbit and looping around the moon, has provided critical data on deep space travel and the endurance of crew members in high-distance environments.