Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen has made history after launching NASA’s Artemis II mission, becoming the first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit.
The rocket lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday. Moments before launch, Hansen said: “We’re going for all of humanity.”
The 10-day mission will be the first time humans visit the Moon in more than 50 years. The crew will make lunar flights and observe the far side of the Moon.
Hansen, 50, of London, Ontario, works as a mission specialist. He is also joined by NASA astronauts Reed Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch.
The launch was delayed from February due to technical problems, but it went ahead successfully after final checks.
Before liftoff, Hansen shared an emotional farewell with his family.
“I love you,” he said before heading toward the spacecraft, according to The Canadian Press.
His wife, Kathryn Hansen, said the family was trying to be present in the moment: “There will be excitement, there will be excitement, there will be terror and fear,” she told The Canadian Press.
