A forthcoming book to be released this autumn will narrate Jeremy Hansen’s historic voyage on the Artemis II mission. Titled “Earthrise: A Canadian Astronaut’s Journey into Deep Space,” the book will provide insights from Hansen, the inaugural Canadian to venture into deep space. The author of this book is John Larsen, a former senior military public affairs officer.
During the Artemis II mission, the crew, including Hansen and NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, achieved a remarkable feat by breaking the record for the farthest distance traveled from Earth by humans. This mission, which marked the first crewed lunar expedition in over half a century, garnered significant attention and acclaim from Canadians.
Although the Artemis II crew did not make a lunar landing, Hansen made history as the first Canadian and non-American to journey to the moon. Throughout the 10-day mission, the astronauts conducted various tests on systems, communication via NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN), and the effects of space travel on the human body. They also had the opportunity to witness parts of the moon that had never been seen before by human eyes.
Hansen expressed his enthusiasm for the mission, stating, “The Artemis II mission reflects the best of what humanity can achieve: the next era of space exploration and innovation.” Following his retirement announcement from the Canadian Space Agency earlier this year, Hansen reflected on his 32-year military service and 17-year tenure as an astronaut.
Larsen, a writer and university instructor based in Calgary, extensively interviewed Hansen to craft the book, which delves into Hansen’s training, lifelong astronaut aspirations, and the lunar mission that propelled him into deep space. Larsen described the book as a tale of personal triumph, national pride, and the pursuit of individual aspirations.
“Earthrise: A Canadian Astronaut’s Journey into Deep Space” will be released by HarperCollinsCanada on October 27, 2026.