When the Artemis II spacecraft lifts off from Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday evening, a Canadian astronaut will become part of a small, historic group. Colonel Jeremy Hansen will be the first Canadian—and the first non-American—to travel beyond Earth’s orbit into deep space. It’s a moment that carries weight far beyond a single mission.
“I feel a great sense of pride for Canada because I have seen the greatness we have in the country and the contributions we are capable of making,” Hansen told reporters after arriving in Florida. His words reflect more than personal achievement. They speak to decades of Canadian innovation in space and what lies ahead.
Here’s why this mission matters to Canada in ways that reach beyond the launch pad.
A seat earned through decades of innovation
Canada didn’t just luck into a spot on Artemis II. The country has been building its space credentials since 1962, when it became the third nation to design and build its own satellite. That satellite, Alouette I, marked Canada as a serious player in a field dominated by superpowers.
Then came the Canadarm. For thirty years, that robotic arm supported U.S. shuttle missions and became synonymous with Canadian ingenuity. When NASA needed a partner for the Artemis program, Canada’s commitment to building Canadarm3 helped secure Hansen’s seat. Originally, NASA planned to use Canadarm3 for the Lunar Gateway, a space station orbiting the moon. Those plans shifted toward a permanent moon base, but the need for Canadian robotics expertise remains.
“From the entire world, of all the people NASA partners with, the one country they invited to participate with them on this mission was Canada,” said astronaut Joshua Kutryk. “That’s significant. It’s not a coincidence.”
The relationship runs deep. It’s built on trust, technical excellence, and a track record that few countries can match.
Robotics leadership faces future challenges
Canada leads the world in space robotics. That’s not marketing speak—it’s a reality acknowledged by space agencies globally. But maintaining that edge requires investment, and there are concerns about long-term competitiveness.
In 2019, the federal government released a new space strategy and committed nearly two billion dollars to develop Canadarm3. Additional funding was earmarked for small and medium businesses to create technologies for lunar orbit. Lisa Campbell, president of the Canadian Space Agency, remains confident despite NASA’s pivot away from Lunar Gateway.
“Advanced robotics is in huge demand and Canada is the best in the world,” Campbell said. “Not only have we been doing it for the longest, we have the knowhow.”
She points to an emerging opportunity that many Canadians might not consider: space debris. Millions of pieces orbit Earth right now. Some of that debris includes equipment worth billions of dollars. Canadian robotics could clean up orbits and salvage valuable kit for reuse.
“All of that is robotics,” Campbell noted. It’s the kind of practical application that could define Canada’s next chapter in space.
Economic potential waiting to be captured
The space sector currently adds $3.2 billion to Canada’s GDP. That number is set to grow as the world becomes more dependent on space-enabled services. Geo-location, data transmission, data storage—all rely on assets orbiting above us.
A recent RBC report projects the global space economy will nearly triple to $1.8 trillion by 2035. Alexander MacDonald, NASA’s former chief economist and a Canadian, sees massive potential for domestic growth.
“There’s this beginning of a new era for Canadian investments in space technology,” MacDonald said. “We have some of the most well-trained individuals and engineers in the world. I think it’s going to become a new export area for the country.”
But there’s a sobering reality. Canada ranks last in public spending among ten OECD Space Forum members. It’s the only G7 country without launch capabilities. That gap matters when other nations are racing ahead.
Earlier this year, Ottawa announced a $200 million investment in a Nova Scotia spaceport. It would enable sovereign satellite launches, a first for Canada.
“The commitment to an independent orbital launch capability in Canada is an historic first,” MacDonald said. He hopes it signals more investment to come.
MacDonald points to the Apollo program’s guidance computer as proof that space drives economic growth. In the early 1960s, rockets generated 75 percent of global demand for semiconductors. That demand built an industry.
“These big leaps are so important for a country economically,” he said. The question is whether Canada will choose to make them.
Sovereignty in orbit and beyond
Independent launch capability isn’t just about economics. It’s about sovereignty. Space now appears as one of ten pillars in Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, which aims to build and operate assets domestically rather than rely on foreign technology.
“There are tremendous opportunities in space as we pursue several ongoing projects that represent billions of dollars of investment,” said Lieutenant-General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force. He cited satellite communications, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance as areas enhancing domain awareness.
With Canada committed to spending five percent of GDP on defence by 2035, space investment offers dual benefits. Satellites serve both security and civilian purposes. They monitor climate change, support communications, and provide early warning of missile launches.
The Arctic presents a particular challenge. Its size and sparse population make traditional surveillance difficult. Space-based assets become essential for protecting Canadian sovereignty in the North.
“We know that space is now the infrastructure that powers our daily lives,” Campbell said. “We all need it in a country like Canada even more.”
Diplomacy above the atmosphere
More than 290 people from 26 countries have visited the International Space Station. Despite tensions on Earth, space remains a place where nations cooperate.
“Space has always been an international endeavour,” Campbell said. “It continues regardless of what’s happening here on Earth.”
As a middle power, Canada focuses on international collaboration, peaceful exploration, and sustainable norms. Canada joined the Artemis Accords, a set of principles governing how countries will conduct themselves on the moon, Mars, and beyond.
NASA administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized the importance of international partners in building a lunar economy.
“We’re not doing it just for the flags and footprints in the rocks but to build the enduring presence,” Isaacman said. “To build the moon base, having astronauts go with great frequency.”
He envisions NASA astronauts standing on the moon’s surface with international partners beside them. Canada’s robotics expertise positions it as a key contributor to that vision.
While some avoid calling this Space Race 2.0, there’s no denying the intensifying push for space dominance. Private firms and national agencies in the U.S. and China are pursuing resource extraction, permanent infrastructure, and eventual Mars missions.
In an increasingly fractured world, some see space as a unifying force.
“In space there aren’t boundaries,” Campbell said. “We help one another. And the harsh environment of space forces us to help one another.”
What comes next
When Hansen boards Artemis II on Wednesday evening, he carries more than scientific instruments and mission objectives. He represents a nation that has consistently punched above its weight in space exploration. But representation alone won’t secure Canada’s future in orbit.
The investments being made now—in robotics, launch capability, and space infrastructure—will determine whether Canada remains a leader or falls behind. Other countries aren’t waiting. They’re building, launching, and claiming their stake in the economic opportunities above.
Canada has the talent. It has the track record. What it needs is the commitment to match ambition with resources. Because when the next giant leap happens, Canadians should be there—not as guests, but as essential partners.
