Get set for takeoff! Jeremy Hansen’s groundbreaking expedition on the Artemis II mission is being chronicled in a forthcoming book scheduled for release this autumn.
Titled “Earthrise: A Canadian Astronaut’s Journey into Deep Space,” the book will recount Hansen’s experience as the first Canadian to venture into deep space. The author of this book is John Larsen, a former senior military public affairs officer.
The Artemis II crew achieved a significant milestone by breaking the record for the farthest distance traveled from Earth, capturing the attention and admiration of Canadians. This marked the first crewed lunar mission in over five decades.
The crew of Artemis II, comprising Hansen alongside NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, conducted a 10-day mission where they tested various systems, including communication through NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN), and carried out experiments on the effects of space travel on the human body.
Although the crew did not land on the moon, Hansen made history as the first Canadian and non-American to journey to the moon. During the mission, they observed lunar terrains never seen before by human eyes.
Hansen expressed in a press release, “The Artemis II mission represents the pinnacle of human achievement, symbolizing the next chapter in space exploration and innovation.”
The book “Earthrise” provides insights into Hansen’s extensive training, his pursuit of becoming an astronaut, and the lunar mission that propelled him into deep space. Hansen reflected, “This journey exceeds even the most adventurous dreams I had when I transformed my childhood treehouse into a spaceship.”
Earlier this year, Hansen announced his retirement from the Canadian Space Agency after 32 years of military service and 17 years as an astronaut. Larsen, a writer and university instructor based in Calgary, conducted in-depth interviews with Hansen for the book. Larsen described the book as a tale of personal triumph, national pride, and the pursuit of individual aspirations.
“Earthrise: A Canadian Astronaut’s Journey into Deep Space” is slated for publication on October 27, 2026, by HarperCollinsCanada.
