Canadian Astronaut Hansen: First to Moon in 50 Years

0:00It's March 31st. Canada News Today starts now, AI-powered and ready. I'm Corey, with the story. Canadian astronaut Colonel Jeremy Hanson is set to make history on the Artemis 2 mission, blasting off from Kennedy Space Center around after 6. PM, on April 1st. This 50-year-old from London, Ontario, former fighter pilot will be the first Canadian to venture beyond low Earth orbit and circle the moon, A. Spot No Human has reached since the Apollo days over 50 years ago. He's joining NASA crewmate Reed Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch for this test flight that flies right past the moon, pushing farther into, spaced and ever before. Hans has been training hard with his team, calling it a privilege after years of prep, and its Canada's biggest space leap yet, topping legends like Chris Hadfield and Roberta Bondar. Fellow astronaut Joshua Kutrick called it a historic moon trip, sparking excitement across the country.

1:02Hanson hopes to reignite that Apollo spark for older folks and shows young dreamers what's possible, urging everyone to watch together. From cadet days to dad of three, he's living proof of aiming high. His backup, Ginny Citi Gibbons from Calgary, could be next up for lunar steps or even a base, handling ground comms and future missions. Watch parties are popping up, like a university of Toronto, with science groups, despite delays. When we team up and dream big, we touch the stars right here on Earth too. Safe travels, Jeremy, Canada is cheering you all the way.