On Flight Day 8 of the Artemis 2 mission, the crew of the Orion spacecraft held a live connection with Canadian Space Agency (CSA) headquarters in Saint-Hubert, Quebec. Hosted by CSA astronaut Joshua Kutryk, the event featured a direct dialogue between the crew, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, and students from across the country.
The conversation focused on Canada’s role in the Artemis program, the necessity of calculated risk in spaceflight, and the perspectives gained from viewing Earth from deep space.
Canadian pride
Prime Minister Carney opened the dialogue by praising the crew’s international teamwork and highlighting the national significance of CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s presence on the mission.
“I’d like to begin in French because all Canadians are so proud of you for a number of reasons, of course, but it was incredible to hear you speak French for the first time in space,” Carney said. “The examples that you’re showing of how to reach literally for the stars, reach for the Moon, and not just be satisfied with that because you’re setting a platform for the world to go even farther… is hugely inspiring.”
Hansen directed the praise back to the engineering and operational teams that made the flight possible.
“It is important to get the message out that I am so proud of Canada,” Hansen replied. “Canada put in the work. We created this opportunity to be here in deep space. So, Canada, I’m also proud of you.”
Keeping the tone light, Carney also joked that Canadians needed reassurance that the crew preferred maple syrup over Nutella on their morning pancakes. Hansen confirmed they had Canadian maple syrup on board, adding that he even shared maple cookies with his crewmates during their pass behind the Moon.
Calculated risk
Carney noted a previous comment Hansen made about taking risks for a “good reason” and asked the astronaut to expand on how that applies to the next generation of engineers and explorers.
“We do think risk is necessary, but calculated risk, well-thought-out risk, and risk that you balance with others,” Hansen explained. “As a country, we have to be willing to have some failures. We fail in this space program, but we assure ourselves we’re not going to stay or rest in those failures. We’re going to push through them.”
Indigenous teachings and naming Orion
Responding to a student’s question about his experiences with Indigenous elders from the Turtle Lodge, Hansen shared the meaning behind his personal mission patch. Designed by Anishinaabe artist Henry Guimond, the patch represents the Seven Sacred Laws: courage, humility, respect, love, honesty, wisdom, and truth.
Hansen revealed that these teachings directly influenced the crew’s decision to name their capsule Integrity.
“One of the reasons we named our spacecraft Integrity is because as humans you are not always in integrity,” Hansen said. “Sometimes you are in your integrity and sometimes you fall short, but you should strive to be in integrity. And so for me, being in integrity is walking in accordance with these seven sacred laws.”
A reaffirmed perspective on Earth
Minister Joly asked how traveling to deep space has altered the crew’s perspective on humanity. Hansen noted that rather than changing his worldview, the journey vividly reaffirmed it.
“My perspective on humanity and our place on planet Earth has not changed,” Hansen stated. “I launched with the perspective that I think there is enough for all, the purpose of humanity is joy and lifting one another up, creating together versus destroying. I launched with the expectation that I would see the proof of it with my own eyes. And I definitely have.”