Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen to retire from CSA and join RCAF reserves

Jeremy Hansen, the first Canadian to fly on a lunar mission as part of NASA’s Artemis II crew in April 2026, announced on July 6 that he will leave his full‑time role at the Canadian Space Agency in September. In a social‑media post he wrote, “This September, after 32 years of military service and 17 years as a Canadian Space Agency astronaut… I will be transitioning from my full‑time role at the CSA,” adding that he will move to a reservist position with the Royal Canadian Air Force and will “pursue new professional opportunities.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney thanked Hansen for his “extraordinary service to Canada and his remarkable contributions to space exploration,” saying the astronaut “united millions of Canadians around a single mission.” The CSA said his departure will leave three active astronauts—David Saint‑Jacques, Joshua Kutryk and Jenni Gibbons—on staff. Hansen’s shift aims to keep his expertise available for Canada’s growing space sector while allowing him to explore other career paths.