Astronauts, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, of Canada, and Pilot Victor Glover wave to family members as they leave the Operations and Checkout Building for a trip to Launch Pad 39-B and a planned liftoff on NASA's Artemis II moon rocket at the Kennedy Space Center Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

By The Canadian Press

Canadian astronaut circling Earth after successful Artemis II lunar launch

Apr 2, 2026 | 2:00 AM

CAPE CANAVERAL — Canadian Jeremy Hansen is one of four astronauts circling Earth in a historic lunar mission after Artemis II successfully launched from the Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday.

On board with Hansen are veteran NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch.

The mission is expected to initially stay close to Earth in order to test systems before the astronauts fire the main engine to propel the spacecraft to the moon — marking humanity’s first return in more than 50 years.

The 10-day journey will make Hansen the first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit.

Just before the final countdown, Hansen said: “We are going for all humanity.”

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 2, 2026.

— With files from The Associated Press

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press