King Charles III writes to Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen:
"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.
"I know that Canada’s participation in this bold mission reflects decades of dedicated leadership and sustained investment in space innovation, as well as the strength of international partnerships that make such endeavours possible. Therefore, 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 this historic moment, you stand as a bridge between nations and generations, and I commend you for the courage, discipline and vision that have brought you to this threshold.
"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. Just as the Terra Carta calls upon us to place Nature, people and planet at the heart of earthly endeavour, 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 with you in the most literal and profound sense. You will, most certainly, reflect upon the fragile beauty of Earth as it rises above the lunar horizon, just as your predecessors did half a century ago. May that sight renew in you, and in all who follow your journey, the conviction that we must learn from the lessons of how we have over-exploited and polluted our own planet, and thus care for the Universe, and all life contained within it, with reverence and a true sense of what is Sacred.
"In an age when humanity’s reach into the stars grows ever bolder it is vital that the Moon remains a beacon of peaceful scientific discovery rather than a theatre of exploitation. After all, for nearly every problem we face, Nature and the cosmos, with the benefit of billions of years of evolution, have already provided us with the solutions. Universal principles rooted in the harmony of Nature’s patterns, cycles and geometry will be central to how we navigate the next frontier.
As you embark on this momentous endeavour, I send you and your fellow crew members my heartfelt good wishes. 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."