Artemis II: A Canadian makes history, Carney hails a highlight of space cooperation

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with the crew of the Artemis II mission on Wednesday, hailing it as a historic moment for Canada. This mission marks the first Canadian to fly around the Moon, a major milestone for the international space program.

Royal Canadian Air Force Colonel Jeremy Hansen, 50, has become the first non-American to participate in a crewed lunar mission. He is accompanying three American astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft for a flyby of the Moon, as part of NASA's Artemis program.

This ten-day mission is a key step before the return of astronauts to the lunar surface, planned for 2028. It also comes in the context of increased competition with China, which aims for a manned lunar landing by 2030.

During this exchange, Mark Carney made a point of congratulating Jeremy Hansen, emphasizing the national pride generated by this achievement. "Canadians couldn't be prouder of you personally, both for this mission and for our collaboration with the United States," he said.

Beyond its scientific dimension, this event also has diplomatic significance. It comes at a time of sometimes strained relations between Ottawa and Washington under the presidency of Donald Trumpoffering a moment of cooperation and rapprochement between the two countries.

The space capsule is expected to return to Earth off the coast of San Diego on Friday, marking the end of this symbolic mission. This success reinforces Canada's position in space exploration and underscores the importance of international partnerships in major scientific advancements.