Artemis II crew on way to moon with Canadian Jeremy Hansen

For the first time in half a century, astronauts are on the way to the moon and a Canadian is part of the crew.

In a historic moment from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Wednesday evening, Artemis II launched into space.

Forty-seven-year-old Jeremy Hansen is part of the crew of four who have embarked on a ten-day mission to fly around the moon and back. Hansen is mission specialist and the first Canadian to ever make the journey.

The successful launch of Artemis II marks the first manned mission to the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.

While on the journey, the astronauts will take observations and pictures and prepare for the Artemis III mission.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says is a remarkable achievement that Canada is now only the second nation on earth to send an astronaut on a lunar mission.

“This moment reminds us of what Canada has always been: a nation of explorers, builders, and innovators,” says Carney in a statement.

“Colonel Hansen carries forward the legacy of those who came before him – Marc Garneau, Roberta Bondar, Chris Hadfield – and the dreams of every young Canadian watching today’s launch.”