Photo blog: Canada welcomes the Artemis II crew
Humility, humanity and humour. That's what the crew of Artemis II brought to Canada on their first visit to our country since their historic mission around the Moon in April. From May 13 to 15, 2026, the four astronauts – Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen and NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch – took part in a series of events in Ottawa, Longueuil and Montreal to share their Moon joy and talk about the mission. They were accompanied by CSA astronaut Jenni Gibbons, who played multiple key roles in the mission.
Here's a recap in pictures.
From left to right: NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen, and NASA astronaut Christina Koch. (Credit: Dan Pereira/Prime Minister's Office)
The crew were first welcomed by the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada. Jeremy presented the Prime Minister with the Canada flag that flew in space with the crew and that Jeremy had shown him during a space-to-Earth connection (YouTube video). In return, the Prime Minister offered the crew special Canadian Royal Mint coins depicting a Canadian astronaut and gave Jeremy the flag that flew on the Peace Tower on April 10, the day of the splashdown.
The astronauts line up to shake hands with students and teachers at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa. From front to back: CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen, NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, NASA astronaut Victor Glover, NASA astronaut Christina Koch, and CSA astronaut Jenni Gibbons. (Credit: CSA)
CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen, his Artemis II crewmates and CSA astronaut Jenni Gibbons spoke about lunar geology during a learning activity at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa. (Credit: CSA)
The Prime Minister, the crew and Jenni Gibbons engaged in discussions with two grades 7-8 classes from Glashan Public School taking part in a lunar geology learning activity at the Canadian Museum of Nature.
Fireside chat at the National Arts Centre. From left to right: CSA astronaut Jenni Gibbons, CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen, NASA astronaut Christina Koch, NASA astronaut Victor Glover, NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, and host Caroline Orth. (Credit: CSA)
The crew spoke about humanity's return to the Moon in a fireside chat hosted by Caroline Orth and answered questions from the public at the National Arts Centre, offering the 700 Canadians present the opportunity to engage directly with them. Jenni Gibbons was able to share her unique perspective on the mission as she not only trained with the crew, but was also at the heart of operations at Mission Control during the flight, communicating directly with the crew as an Artemis capcom.
Event at the Canadian Museum of History. On stage, from left to right: Space Canada CEO Brian Gallant, NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, NASA astronaut Victor Glover, NASA astronaut Christina Koch, CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen, and CSA astronaut Jenni Gibbons. (Credit: CSA)
Space Canada CEO Brian Gallant spoke with the Artemis II crew and Jenni Gibbons in the presence of some 500 Canadian space sector stakeholders, parliamentarians and other partners at the Canadian Museum of History.
The astronauts stopped by the CSA headquarters. Dozens of CSA employees welcomed them enthusiastically upon their arrival. From left to right: Minister Mélanie Joly, CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen and NASA astronaut Christina Koch. (Credit: CSA)
CSA employees welcomed the crew and Jenni Gibbons with a loud roar as they walked through the doors of the organization's headquarters, in the presence of media and digital creators. They were greeted by the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions; CSA President Lisa Campbell; and two local Members of Parliament.
While at the CSA headquarters, the Artemis II crew and Jenni Gibbons talked about their mission to the employees and media present. From left to right: CSA astronaut Jenni Gibbons, CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen, NASA astronaut Christina Koch, NASA astronaut Victor Glover, NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman and Minister Mélanie Joly. (Credit: CSA)
During a fireside chat with Minister Mélanie Joly hosted by CSA Senior Engineer Kumudu Jinadasa, the crew and Jenni Gibbons reflected on the mission, sharing insights shaped by their respective roles. They then engaged with local Air Cadets from 643 Saint-Hubert Squadron, answering questions and offering personal perspectives on their journey, international collaboration and teamwork. You can watch the event on the CSA's YouTube channel and Facebook page.
CSA astronaut Jenni Gibbons speaks with digital creator Alexane Drolet (@Alexplique). (Credit: CSA)
There were a number of media opportunities throughout the tour, both at the CSA and in studios. While at the CSA, Jenni Gibbons and the crew did interviews with several digital creators and reporters to further share their mission with Canadians.
Fireside chat at Place des Arts in Montreal. From left to right: CSA astronaut Jenni Gibbons, CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen, NASA astronaut Christina Koch, NASA astronaut Victor Glover, NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, and President and CEO of the MMCC Isabelle Dessureault. (Credit: Cosmos Image/Montreal Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce)
The tour ended with a high-profile public event for the Montreal business community and space enthusiasts codeveloped with the Montreal Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (MMCC). Some 2700 innovators, entrepreneurs, students and even families were assembled at the Montreal Place des Arts for this fireside chat between the crew, Jenni Gibbons and Isabelle Dessureault, President and CEO of the MMCC. They shared insights on the mission and touched on collaboration and teamwork, risk taking, being solution-driven, the Overview Effect and innovation.
In the coming months, Jeremy will visit several locations across Canada to continue sharing his perspective on the Artemis II mission. Be sure to follow the CSA on social media for updates.