- King Charles wrote a letter to Canadian astronaut Colonel Jeremy Hansen before he is set to become the first non-American to perform a lunar visit. Here’s an extract from the letter with heavy reference to the “Astra Carta”, a document launched by the King in 2023 to promote sustainability in space exploration.
- “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.
- “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.
- “May the stars align in your favour, and may your safe return inspire countless others to uphold the values of sustainability, cooperation and wonder that the Astra Carta enshrines.”
IN FULL
Artemis II launch live: Nasa set to launch first crewed lunar mission in decades
