The King has told a Canadian astronaut flying to the Moon on Nasa’s Artemis II mission that he is carrying the “hopes of the Commonwealth and the aspirations of humanity itself”.
Col Jeremy Hansen will become the first member of the Commonwealth to enter lunar orbit, joining three US astronauts on a 10-day trip that mirrors the Apollo 8 mission in 1968.
Although the mission will not land on the Moon, it will test the Orion crew module, making sure that it can support life and successfully navigate to lunar orbit and home again. A full landing is scheduled for 2028.
In a letter to Col Hansen, the King wrote: “It is with immense pride and a profound sense of shared purpose that I write to you as you prepare to embark upon the Artemis II mission – the first crewed voyage beyond low Earth orbit since the dawn of the Space Age.
“As the first Canadian to venture to the Moon, you carry not only the hopes of your fellow Canadians and the Commonwealth, but also the aspirations of humanity itself.”
Artemis II is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral at 6:24pm (EDT) or 11:24pm UK time on Wednesday on a 10-day mission, which will return humans to the Moon for the first time since 1972.
There is a favourable weather forecast, but there are concerns that the launch could be delayed by a solar flare.
Nasa said there was a 55 per cent chance of a low-level flare in the next two days, and a 10 per cent chance of a dangerous X-class flare – the most intense kind, which can lead to long-lasting radiation storms.
Solar flares release intense electromagnetic radiation and high-energy radioactive particles which can fry electronic equipment, damage satellites, disrupt radio communications and endanger astronauts.
The King has frequently voiced his belief that space exploration should benefit all humanity, as well as adhering to environmental and social goals.
In 2023, he launched Astra Carta, a global initiative to encourage responsible space flight and orbital practices, including reducing space debris. Companies that meet the standard are now awarded the Astra Carta seal.
The initiative is a nod to the Magna Carta, which established rights and liberties and prevented the abuse of power.
In the letter to Col Hanson, the King added: “In 2023, when I launched the Astra Carta at Buckingham Palace, I did so in the firm belief that our stewardship of the planet must now extend to the infinite wonders of the Universe.
“The Astra Carta urges us to navigate the celestial realms with wisdom, foresight and responsibility. Its fundamental principles are not mere aspirations; they are a solemn pledge to future generations.
“They remind us that the cosmos is not a frontier to be conquered, but a shared inheritance to be cherished and preserved.
“As you orbit the Moon, you will carry these principles in the most literal and profound sense. In an age when humanity’s reach into the stars grows even bolder it is vital that the Moon remains a beacon of peaceful scientific discovery.”
Col Hansen was assigned to the Artemis II mission in 2023.
He will fly alongside Nasa astronauts commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and mission specialist Christina Koch.
Born in London, Ontario, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Cadet squadron at the age of 12 and later entered the Canadian Armed Forces as an officer before being selected to become an astronaut by the Canadian Space Agency in 2009.
Earlier this week, Col Hansen said: “I hope others outside of Canada feel part of this too, because my presence is just an acknowledgement that anybody who shows up and is able to contribute something meaningful to our future endeavours can be part of this mission.
“And so I hope the Commonwealth feels or sees itself in this mission. I hope all the international partnerships see themselves flying on this mission because they truly are.”