In a lighthearted yet inspiring Earth-to-space call this week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney connected with history-making Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, a core member of NASA’s Artemis II lunar mission crew set to splash down back on Earth this Friday. The conversation celebrated not just Hansen’s groundbreaking milestone as the first non-American astronaut to ever orbit the Moon, but also the cross-border collaboration that made the mission possible, and offered a dose of relatable personality that resonated with viewers back home.
Hansen joins three American crewmates — commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Christina Koch, and mission specialist Victor Glover — on the 10-day test flight that paves the way for future human lunar exploration. During the call, the astronaut emphasized that successful space exploration relies on more than just cutting-edge technology: it depends on intentional collaboration between team members. “Willingness is a huge ingredient in a successful team,” Hansen explained, adding that he is already eager to share his out-of-this-world photographs and personal experiences with the Canadian public once he returns to Earth.
Carney opened the conversation by echoing the national pride that has swept Canada over Hansen’s participation in the mission. “Canadians are so proud of what you’re doing and the collaboration,” the prime minister said. “I’m thrilled. I’m absolutely thrilled to be speaking with you, Jeremy and the crew. We’ve all been watching and inspired by what you’re doing.”
The conversation turned to the inherent risks of human space travel, a topic Carney brought up to frame the mission as a lesson for young people following the journey from Earth. Carney referenced a previous comment Hansen made about the mission being “a risk for a good reason,” noting that the line stuck with him, and framed the voyage as a constructive challenge for the next generation of innovators and explorers. Hansen expanded on the idea, explaining that not all risk is reckless: “Risk is necessary — but calculated risk, well-thought out risk and risk that you balance with others.”
After the serious discussion of exploration and inspiration, Carney turned to the question that had captured the attention of ordinary Canadians across the country, referencing a viral photo of a jar of Nutella floating inside the Artemis II Orion capsule. “A lot of Canadians just wanted one point of reassurance, that the preference is for maple syrup over nutella on your pancakes in the morning,” Carney joked. The playful question sent the entire crew into peals of laughter, and Carney quipped that he took Hansen’s amused reaction as a vote in favor of the iconic Canadian sweet treat.
Before closing the call, Carney extended a formal invitation to Hansen and the rest of the Artemis II crew to visit Ottawa, Canada’s capital, after their return. He added a lighthearted note about the city’s current seasonal conditions, joking: “Don’t look too closely right now. You’ll notice that it’s still pretty white, but the snow is going to go.”
The Artemis II mission marks a critical step forward in NASA’s plan to return humans to the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo program ended more than 50 years ago, with international collaboration at the core of its framework. Hansen’s participation cements Canada’s role as a key partner in modern deep space exploration.