The Scene

Astronaut Jeremy Hansen is about to go where no Canadian has gone before. He will become the first Canadian astronaut to fly around the moon on the Artemis II mission. Hansen, an avid traveller on Planet Earth, has traversed the globe accomplishing earthly missions, exploring caves, working underwater, and even acting as the Calgary Stampede parade marshal. Despite his extraordinary accomplishments, Hansen is like any other frequent flyer. He has strong feelings about luggage, appreciates the value of a travel uniform, and loves getting outdoors.

The Hits

Hansen may be an astronaut, but he finds solace in the great outdoors and living a life of gratitude here on Earth. In 2023, he did a vision quest, spending the better part of four days alone outdoors. For this nature lover, time spent in the solitude of nature has a restorative, recharging effect. He encourages others to connect with the world in their own way. “You have to accept where you are and be grateful for where you are and what you have.”

The Backstory

Hansen’s travel plans may be out of this world, but his passions were sparked in a down-to-earth environment. He attended air cadet camp in Trenton, Ontario. He recalls, “That was a big step for me to be away from home for two weeks at the ages of 12 and 13.” A few years later, Hansen earned a scholarship to get his pilot’s licence as an air cadet in Cornwall, Ontario, and more travel followed. He vividly remembers the grown-up moment he got his travel instructions in the mail. “I felt like a special agent, like James Bond, to just go on my own, get on a train, and travel somewhere.”