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Tag: Christina Koch

  • PM Mark Carney Welcomes Artemis II Astronauts to Ottawa After Historic Moon Mission

    PM Mark Carney Welcomes Artemis II Astronauts to Ottawa After Historic Moon Mission

    Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the crew of the historic Artemis II mission to Ottawa on Wednesday as Canada celebrated the astronauts’ groundbreaking journey around the far side of the moon.

    Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen joined fellow Artemis II crew members Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch for a series of events in the nation’s capital following their successful 10-day mission.

    The Artemis II crew traveled farther from Earth than any humans in history during the lunar flyby mission, capturing global attention and reigniting excitement about deep-space exploration.

    During a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office, Carney praised the astronauts for inspiring Canadians and advancing international cooperation in space exploration.

    “This is as far as any people had gone into space, but it was risk for a reason and risk to set up even bigger opportunities,” Carney said before a private discussion with the crew. “We’re going to have a chance to talk about that.”

    Hansen said Artemis II represents only the beginning of humanity’s renewed push toward lunar and deep-space missions.

    “Artemis II is just a step on a much longer journey for us, and like you we can’t wait to be part of what’s next,” Hansen told the prime minister.

    Also participating in the Ottawa visit was Jenni Gibbons, who worked as part of the support team at NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston during the mission.

    As part of the ceremony, Carney presented the astronauts with commemorative silver coins featuring an astronaut image alongside King Charles III. Hansen also received the Canadian flag that flew atop Ottawa’s Peace Tower on the day the Artemis II capsule splashed down off the California coast.

    In return, Hansen gifted Carney a framed Canadian mission patch that traveled aboard the Artemis II spacecraft. The patch was displayed over a photograph of Earth captured from the far side of the moon and signed by all four crew members.

    The astronauts are also scheduled to participate in a sold-out public discussion at National Arts Centre focused on the future of lunar exploration and Canada’s role in upcoming NASA missions.

    The next major lunar mission, Artemis III, is currently planned for next year and is expected to pave the way for Artemis IV mission in 2028, which aims to return astronauts to the moon’s surface.

  • Artemis II Crew Returns to Earth to Hero’s Welcome After Historic Lunar Flyby

    Artemis II Crew Returns to Earth to Hero’s Welcome After Historic Lunar Flyby

    Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen and his fellow Artemis II crew members were met with a standing ovation in Houston after successfully concluding their groundbreaking mission with a Pacific Ocean splashdown on Friday.

    The crew, which included Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, and Victor Glover, returned to NASA’s Ellington Field on Saturday after flying in from San Diego. Their arrival marked the end of the historic Artemis II mission, which saw humanity return to deep space exploration around the Moon.

    Hansen expressed heartfelt gratitude to his family, NASA, and the Canadian Space Agency, sharing his excitement about returning home alongside his crewmates.

    Following a brief reunion with loved ones, the astronauts addressed a crowd of supporters and officials who gathered to celebrate the milestone mission. Hansen reflected on the dedication of the team, describing them as individuals passionate about contributing to something greater than themselves.

    Canadian Space Agency President Lisa Campbell embraced all four astronauts, praising Hansen for representing Canada with distinction. Meanwhile, Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, emphasized that the mission’s significance extended beyond scientific data, highlighting the deep human connections forged during the journey.

    Standing arm in arm, the crew underscored the unity and shared purpose of humanity. Wiseman described the mission as a reminder of the unique experience of being human on Earth, while Koch reflected on the broader meaning of “crew,” calling the entire planet a unified team.

    During their 10-day mission, the Artemis II astronauts achieved several milestones, including surpassing the distance record set by Apollo 13 for the farthest crewed spaceflight from Earth. The team also conducted unprecedented observations of the lunar surface, offering new insights that will shape future missions.