Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Jeremy Hansen is set to connect with elementary and secondary school students at Science North, via a live web link.
This special event will be held Nov. 8 at 11 a.m. in the Vale Cavern. Participating students will be encouraged to take part in a question-and-answer session with Hansen, who is assigned as Crew Support Astronaut for Expedition 34/35 — Canada's second long-duration mission on board the International Space Station.
Prior to joining the Canadian Space Program, Major Hansen served as a CF-18 fighter pilot and held the position of Combat Operations Officer at Four Wing Operations in Cold Lake, Alta. His responsibilities included ensuring the effectiveness of NORAD Air Defense Operations and the operability of Deployed and Forward Operating Locations.
From 2006 to 2007, Hansen served as a CF-18 fighter pilot in 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron, where his responsibilities included leading tactical formations and serving as a Maintenance Test Pilot. From 2004 to 2006, he served as a CF-18 fighter pilot in 441 Tactical Fighter Squadron, where his responsibilities included NORAD Operations, Deployed Exercises and Arctic Flying Operations. He completed his CF-18 Fighter Pilot Training in 410 Fighter Training Squadron from 2003 to 2004. His experience also includes frequent deployments to the United States and Europe.
Major Hansen's flight career began at the age of 12, when he joined the Air Cadet Program. He obtained both glider and private pilot licenses through this program by the age of 17. This experience led to his acceptance to Collège militaire royal in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.
In May 2009, Hansen as one of two members of the third Canadian Astronaut selection. He is one of 14 members of the 20th NASA astronaut class. In 2011, Major Hansen graduated from Astronaut Candidate Training that included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in International Space Station systems, Extravehicular Activity (EVA), robotics, physiological training, T-38 flight training and water and wilderness survival training.
