Canadian Astronaut's Moon Mission: A Bold Dream

0:00It's April 2nd. This is Global News Today, powered by AI bringing you what matters globally. Jeremy Hansen, the Canadian astronaut gearing up for NASA's Artemis 2 mission, has been chasing the star since he was a kid. Back in 1995, as a first-year cadet at the Royal Military College, he bumped into his hero, Chris Hadfield, and snagged the guys. Email right there. That spark lit the fuse for Hansen's path, turning him from farm boy near London, Ontario into a fighter pilot, and now the only not-american on the first crewed moon orbit in over 50 years. Fast forward, Hansen joined the Canadian Space Agency in 2009, flying CF-18 jets out of Cold Lake, Alberta, and working with NORAD. Hadfield became his mentor through training, dropping simple wisdom like chase your passion. Hansen's crew includes Commander Reed Weisman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Specialist Christina Koch for a 10-day trip that will take humans farther from. Earth, then ever. Growing up, Hansen glued his eyes to encyclopedia picks of Neil Armstrong and Apollo 11, even

1:05turning his treehouse into a rocket. Air cadets, space science studies, and pilot gigs built his resume, all fueled by that early moon dream still burned in his brain. For the mission, he's packing moon-shaped pendants with birdstones for his wife and three teens, plus a custom blue space suit patch designed by Anishinabi artist Hinri Gimmo. He draws from indigenous teachings on love, respect, courage, and humility, honoring Canada's first nation's knowledge. Earlier this week, Hansen shared his thrill for that first earth view in orbit, and hopes the far-side moon shots remind us all to build up humanity. Together, not tear down. With Artemis Tuwondeck, he's living proof bold dreams, launch real progress.