Space
Canada’s First Deep Space Connection: Astronaut Jeremy Hansen to Speak Live From Artemis II
Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen to participate in a historic live Q&A from space during the Artemis II lunar mission on April 4, 2026.
A Historic Moment for Canadian Space Exploration
In a milestone event for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), astronaut Colonel Jeremy Hansen is set to make history on the night of April 3 and 4, 2026. For the first time, a Canadian astronaut will engage in a live space-to-Earth connection from the deep space environment of the Artemis II mission. This unprecedented communication event, hosted at the John H. Chapman Space Centre in Longueuil, Quebec, represents a significant leap forward in Canada’s role in international lunar exploration.
Live Q&A from the Orion Spacecraft
During the 20-minute video link, CSA President Lisa Campbell will host a session where Hansen will share his firsthand impressions of the lunar flyby mission. Canadian media representatives present on-site will have the exclusive opportunity to pose questions directly to the Colonel as he travels beyond low Earth orbit. The Artemis II mission is the first crewed flight under NASA’s Artemis program to venture around the Moon, making Hansen the first Canadian to ever leave Earth’s immediate orbit.
Technical Details and Public Access
The event is scheduled to begin at 12:45 am ET, with the live video feed from the Orion spacecraft expected to stabilize at 1:10 am ET. While only accredited journalists on-site will be permitted to ask questions, the CSA has ensured that the public can witness this historic dialogue. The session will be livestreamed on the CSA’s official YouTube channel, and the entirety of the Artemis II mission will remain accessible to global audiences via the NASA+ broadcasting platform.
Security and Logistics for On-Site Media
Media representatives attending the event in Longueuil are required to present valid credentials at multiple security checkpoints. Given the precise nature of space-to-Earth communication windows, the CSA has emphasized the importance of early arrival to navigate security protocols and ensure that the scheduled connection is not missed. Experts from the CSA will also be available on-site for additional interviews to provide technical context regarding the mission’s progress and the science being conducted aboard the spacecraft.