Artemis II crewmates say space exploration depends on nations working together

OTTAWA — The astronauts who captured the world’s imagination with their journey to the far side of the moon last month said Wednesday the mission showed what people — and nations — can accomplish when they work together.

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen and his Artemis II crewmates took part in a series of events in Ottawa, starting with a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney in his office on Parliament Hill.

The 10-day Artemis mission took Hansen, from the Canadian Space Agency, and three NASA astronauts, mission commander Reid Wiseman and astronauts Victor Glover and Christina Koch, farther from Earth than any humans before them.

“I think what we all know as humans is true, is that we are better together. We know this. We are lifted up and we’re filled up when we help one another, when we create together. And it can get a little lost in today’s society,” Hansen said during a question-and-answer session with the crew at the National Arts Centre.

“We tear people apart for making mistakes. We make people afraid. We use fear, and this was just an affirmation that everybody knows this is true. We’re better together, we’re better when we create.”

Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jenni Gibbons, who was part of the team at NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston communicating with the crew during their journey, is also taking part in the Ottawa tour. Gibbons was the backup for Hansen if something prevented him from joining the moon mission.

“A big part of it was the fact that this mission shared the human experience and we were all able to connect with it,” Gibbons said.

“It’s about human experience and connection and I think that connected us with a lot of people around the world too.”

The mission was a NASA-led effort in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency. The crew was selected three years ago and had been training for their mission ever since.

While Canada-U.S. relations have been badly strained by U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war and his calls for Canada’s annexation, Wiseman said this mission showed what can be accomplished when the two nations work together.

“The United States makes space for others to join, especially in the space program — uniquely right now in the space program,” Wiseman said to laughter from the audience in the National Arts Centre.

“Canada has so much to offer as we go for a sustained lunar presence … You have these areas of your nation that you need to go service to keep people alive. You need to get food there, you need to get clothing there, you need to get shelter there.

“All of the things that you’re doing here, and the way you care for each other and you care for us, this is exactly what we need as we begin a sustainable presence on the lunar surface.”

During a photo op ahead of his private meeting with the crew, Carney said it was an honour to welcome them to the capital and they would discuss what Canada can offer future space missions with NASA.

“This is as far as any people had gone into space, but it was risk for a reason and risk to set up even bigger opportunities. We’re going to have a chance to talk about that,” Carney said.

“Artemis II is just a step on a much longer journey for us, and like you we can’t wait to be part of what’s next,” Hansen said.

The Artemis IIl mission is scheduled to take place next year, ahead of the Artemis IV mission in 2028 which is set to take astronauts back to the surface of the moon.

Carney gave the crew members commemorative silver coins that show a colour image of an astronaut on one side and King Charles on the other. He also gave Hansen the Canadian flag that was flying on the Peace Tower the day the Artemis capsule splashed down off the California coast.

“That is absolutely extraordinary,” Hansen said, as his three crewmates expressed amazement at the gift.

Hansen gave Carney a framed Canadian flag patch that he said was in the capsule throughout the mission. The patch is mounted on a photo of Earth taken from the far side of the moon, with each Artemis II crew member’s signature on it.

The Artemis crew took part in a question-and-answer session with audience members at the conclusion of the National Arts Centre event.

With loads of little kids in the audience wearing space costumes, a question about the process of becoming an astronaut inevitably came up. While the crew members said there are many different paths to space, Hansen said the most important thing is to take action.

“You have to do things … you can’t just think about it. You can’t just dream about it, you can’t just tell others about it. You have to the things that scare you. You have get out there and push yourself,” Hansen said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 13, 2026.

David Baxter, The Canadian Press