Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s historic trip to the moon has been delayed once again as NASA announced further adjustments to its Artemis program timeline. The Artemis II mission, which will send four astronauts around the moon and back, is now targeted for April 2026 at the earliest, pushed back from its previous September 2025 schedule.
The delay stems from the need to address heat shield damage identified during the capsule’s initial test flight two years ago, as well as ongoing spacecraft improvements to ensure mission safety. The Artemis III mission, which includes a planned moon landing by two astronauts, has also been postponed to at least 2027.
Hansen, 48, is the only Canadian astronaut selected for the Artemis II crew, a groundbreaking mission marking NASA’s first crewed moon flight since the Apollo era of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Despite the setback, the Canadian Space Agency expressed “full confidence” in NASA’s decision to prioritize safety over timelines.
Hansen’s inclusion in the Artemis program is a significant milestone for Canada’s space exploration efforts, reflecting the country’s strong partnership with NASA and its contributions to international space missions.
As the Artemis II team prepares for their journey, the focus remains on ensuring the success and safety of this pivotal mission, which serves as a precursor to future lunar landings and NASA’s broader goal of establishing a sustainable human presence on the moon.