Photo blog: CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen meets with Canadians
From to , Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen was back home in Canada – in Ottawa, Longueuil, Halifax and Toronto – to meet with Canadians and share his perspective on the Artemis II mission. This first solo visit since the end of the mission was marked by many moments of exchange and recognition that reflected the growing interest in space exploration in Canada.
Here's a recap in pictures.
Jeremy Hansen attends the swearing-in ceremony of the new Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Louise Arbour, in Ottawa. (Credit: Heritage Canada)
Jeremy Hansen began his week in Canada by attending the swearing-in of the new Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Louise Arbour, at the Senate, in Ottawa. The Governor General recognized Jeremy in her inaugural speech.
From left to right: Jeremy Hansen, the Honourable Raymonde Gagné, Speaker of the Senate, and the Honourable Francis Scarpaleggia, Speaker of the House of Commons. (Credit: CSA)
Jeremy Hansen sat with the Honourable Raymonde Gagné, Speaker of the Senate; and the Honourable Francis Scarpaleggia, Speaker of the House of Commons, before meeting with parliamentarians and attending question period at the House of Commons.
Colonel Jeremy Hansen answers questions from Royal Canadian Air Force colleagues during an event moderated by LCol Maggie LaBerge at the Carling campus in Ottawa. (Credit: RCAF)
As an active member of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), Colonel Jeremy Hansen spoke to some of his peers from the RCAF at the Carling campus in Ottawa. He explained how his experience as an RCAF pilot contributed to his journey to the Moon.
Jeremy Hansen filmed a series of videos with the CSA team during a visit to Canada for a series of events. (Credit: CSA)
Jeremy stopped by CSA headquarters in Longueuil, Quebec, for meetings and some filming with our Communications and Public Affairs team. Stay tuned for some fun videos!
Colonel Jeremy Hansen speaks to 12 Wing personnel and some family members at Canadian Forces Base Shearwater in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Credit: CSA)
Colonel Hansen took part in a townhall with 12 Wing personnel and some family members at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Shearwater, in Halifax. Just like in Ottawa, he talked about his years as a fighter pilot and his mission around the Moon.
Colonel Jeremy Hansen flying a Cyclone helicopter during a visit to Canadian Forces Base Shearwater in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Credit: MCpl Serena Kuzma, Royal Canadian Air Force Imagery Technician)
Ahead of his visit to CFB Shearwater, Jeremy had the opportunity to fly in the Cyclone helicopter. The crew trusted him enough to put him in the pilot seat – under supervision, of course! An experienced CF-18 fighter pilot, Jeremy has flown helicopters in the past as part of his training.
Jeremy Hansen speaks to a group of Indigenous students at Discovery Centre in Halifax, during a meet-and-greet organized in collaboration with Ulnooweg Education Centre. (Credit: CSA)
Jeremy Hansen met with Elder Donna Gloade and students from Truro Middle School in front at the new Mission: Astronaut exhibition at Discovery Centre in Halifax. This meet-and-greet was facilitated by Discovery Centre and Ulnooweg Education Centre.
From left to right: Chris Seymour from Ulnooweg Education Centre, Jeremy Hansen and a few of the students from Truro Middle School who took part in a meet-and-greet at Discovery Centre organized in collaboration with Ulnooweg Education Centre. (Credit: CSA)
During his quick visit to Discovery Centre, Jeremy received a ribbon shirt gifted by Grandmother Marilyn Francis and a tobacco tie from Ulnooweg. In return, he presented them with a representation of his mission patch that flew with him around the Moon.
Jeremy Hansen speaks to a captivated audience of 300 people assembled at the Halifax Central Library. The event was organized by Discovery Centre. (Credit: CSA)
Jeremy Hansen answered questions about his career path and the Artemis II mission from a crowd of 300 people of all ages assembled at the Halifax Central Library. The public event was organized by Discovery Centre. This event was recorded and will be available to watch on Discovery Centre's YouTube channel.
Jeremy Hansen took part in an armchair discussion with John Stackhouse, Senior Vice-President, Office of the CEO at the Royal Bank of Canada, at the US–Canada Summit in Toronto. (Credit: CSA)
Canada and the United States have been close collaborators in space exploration for over six decades. Jeremy Hansen took part in an armchair discussion where he highlighted this important relationship at the Canada–US Summit. Some 400 C-suite executives, senior corporate and policy leaders focused on US–Canada relations were assembled for the event moderated by John Stackhouse, Senior Vice-President, Office of the CEO at the Royal Bank of Canada.
Jeremy Hansen in the CTV studio, in Toronto, for an interview with Arda Zakarian for CP24 Breakfast show. (Credit: CSA)
Throughout the tour, Jeremy Hansen did multiple interviews at events and in studio to further share his lunar mission with the Canadian public.
Jeremy Hansen speaks in front a crowd of over 1500 people at Elgin Theatre during an event organized by the Ontario Science Centre. (Credit: CSA)
The Ontario Science Centre held a free event at Elgin Theatre in Toronto where the public could take part in science demonstrations before attending a Q&A session with Jeremy Hansen, moderated by the science centre's CEO Paul Kortenaar. This event was recorded and will be available to watch on the OSC's YouTube channel.
Jeremy Hansen threw the ceremonial first pitch at a Blue Jays game in Toronto against the New York Yankees. (Credit: Toronto Blue Jays)
Play ball! Jeremy Hansen ended his week-long tour in Canada by throwing the ceremonial first pitch at a Blue Jays vs. Yankees game in Toronto. He was also recognized on the field for his participation in the historic Artemis II mission.
In the coming months, Jeremy will visit more locations across Canada to continue to talk about the Artemis II mission, starting with the Canada Day National Noon Ceremony at LeBreton Flats Park in Ottawa (also broadcasted across the country).
Be sure to follow the CSA on social media for updates.