Canada is set to play a key role in NASA’s Artemis II mission, marking a significant step in deep-space exploration and reinforcing the country’s position in the space economy.
BNN Bloomberg spoke with David Saint-Jacques, astronaut at the Canadian Space Agency, about Canada’s long-standing strengths in robotics, satellites and research, and how the mission reflects decades of work in space exploration.
Key Takeaways
- Artemis II is a test flight of new spacecraft systems designed to support future missions around the Moon and beyond.
- Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen will become the first non-American to travel around the Moon.
- Canada’s strengths in robotics, including Canadarm technology, have helped establish its reputation in space exploration.
- The country is contributing to future missions through planned involvement in lunar surface logistics, including rover development.
- The mission highlights Canada’s long-standing participation among nations advancing human space exploration.
Read the full transcript below:
ROGER: Four astronauts, including Canadian Jeremy Hansen, are poised to lift off in about five hours from now on a 10-day journey that will slingshot them around the Moon, marking humanity’s return to the lunar vicinity for the first time in half a century.
Joining us now to discuss the Artemis II mission and the impact on Canada is Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Saint-Jacques. Thank you very much for joining us today.
DAVID: Hello, Roger. How are you?
ROGER: I’m good. I imagine you’re great.
DAVID: I am kind of giddy.
ROGER: From the personal side, what is the most exciting thing about today that we’re about to watch?
DAVID: My good friend Jeremy is going to the Moon. I mean, I say it and it sounds unbelievable, but this is happening today. We’ve been planning this mission for so long. Jeremy has been preparing for this mission. Jenni Gibbons, who is working backstage as his backup, has been working for so long. The whole agency has been behind this, the whole nation has been behind this for so long. I can’t believe it’s game day. It’s finally game day today.
So right now, as we’re talking, they’re putting their spacesuits on, and soon, if all goes well, they’re going to go to the rocket and be strapped in. So this could well happen today.
ROGER: What does it tell you about having a Canadian on this trip, this journey, the first time around the Moon in 50 years?
DAVID: As a citizen, as a father, it makes me really proud. I am proud that this is the country that we have — a country that’s part of this very short list of nations pushing the envelope in space exploration. Jeremy will be the first non-American to go to the Moon.
It says something. It’s a testament to him, obviously, and his skills, but also to our nation, to our space program, to everybody who has been working for decades making Canada a champion in space robotics, for example, with the series of Canadarm robots we’ve put into orbit.
So I think this is really a day of recognition of everything we’ve done so far — and there’s so much more we can do. It’s a moment of pride. And in these troubled geopolitical times, it’s also a moment for humanity to look in the same direction, even briefly, as we send four of us on this dangerous mission to explore the far side of the Moon.
ROGER: And that’s what you have to remember — it is still a dangerous mission. Canadian technology will be helping. Where are Canada’s strengths when it comes to space?
DAVID: Our space sector is really strong. At the core of it, our academia, our universities are strong, our industry is strong, and our workforce is strong. In space, we’re good at making satellites, we’re good at making robots, and we have a great aviation industry.
All of this is coming together right now. We’re putting together a program to provide rovers to the Artemis program, so we’ll be involved in surface logistics — similar to how we’ve contributed with Canadarm, but on the ground.
We’re a respected member of the club. And I’ll share something personal — when you become an astronaut and join the astronaut office, it’s very intimidating the first time you set foot at the Johnson Space Center. It was heartwarming to see that because of this flag I’m wearing, people trusted me. They thought, “Canadian — that’s fine. They deliver.”
We’re standing on the shoulders of giants, and today Jeremy is at the very top of that legacy we’ve built over decades.
ROGER: I think calling it an office is an understatement for what you accomplish. How will this benefit the Canadian space industry?
DAVID: This confirms that we are at the table with the nations at the forefront of space exploration. The Artemis program is a long series of missions of increasing complexity that will lead to a permanent settlement on the Moon — similar to what we’ve done in orbit with the International Space Station.
We’re doing the same now on the Moon, with the long-term goal of eventually going to Mars. Artemis II is a test flight — a test of a new rocket system and a new capsule. It’s rare that we test entirely new spacecraft with humans on board.
Three years ago, Artemis I was uncrewed, with mannequins and sensors. Now we’re sending people. They’ll test life-support systems, emergency procedures, manual flying, orbital mechanics, radiation exposure and psychological effects.
This is a necessary step to better understand the risks before moving to more complex missions.
ROGER: I’m going to nerd out a bit here. What will it actually be like inside the capsule? Will they be able to move around?
DAVID: I love the nerdy questions. It’s about the size of a small van. During launch, they’ll be strapped in tightly, but once they reach orbit and can unbuckle, they’ll be able to move around.
There’s enough space to float past each other — they’ll probably have to say “sorry” a lot, being Canadian. There’s even some exercise equipment, a small galley area and a bathroom. It’s like a very small RV you can’t get out of.
ROGER: So a big upgrade from 50 years ago. Will they be doing experiments as well?
DAVID: Yes. Initially, they’ll stay in low Earth orbit to check systems, then move into a higher orbit to continue testing. Once everything is confirmed, they’ll perform what’s called a trans-lunar injection burn to send them toward the Moon on a figure-eight trajectory that brings them back about eight days later.
During transit, they’ll release small satellite probes to measure radiation far from Earth’s magnetic field. They’ll also carry biological samples to study radiation effects. That’s a major research focus.
They’ll also photograph the far side of the Moon in daylight and begin scouting potential landing sites for future missions.
ROGER: And how will they feel during all of this?
DAVID: Right now, they’re in the zone — focused, prepared, thinking about their families and the people supporting them. During launch, they’ll be fully concentrated on monitoring systems.
There will be key moments of relief — like when main engine cutoff happens about eight minutes after launch and they’re safely in orbit. The biggest moment will be when they return and splash down.
They’ll also take time to look out the window and absorb what they’re seeing — the Earth getting smaller, the Moon getting bigger. Their minds will be racing, trying to process it all.
ROGER: We have to leave it there. Thank you very much for joining us.
DAVID: Thank you, Roger. Godspeed. Go Artemis, go!
ROGER: Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Saint-Jacques.
---
This BNN Bloomberg summary and transcript of the April 1, 2026 interview with David Saint Jacques are published with the assistance of AI. Original research, interview questions and added context was created by BNN Bloomberg journalists. An editor also reviewed this material before it was published to ensure its accuracy and adherence with BNN Bloomberg editorial policies and standards.
