NASA astronauts Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman are beginning a new chapter after their historic Artemis II journey around the Moon earlier this year. In September, both astronauts are transitioning to emeritus status at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The emeritus program allows highly experienced NASA personnel to remain involved with the agency by volunteering their expertise.
In these specialized consulting roles, they can help train and mentor current employees while also gaining more freedom to pursue opportunities outside their previous full time positions. "I've had the privilege of knowing Reid and Victor for years, and both exemplify the leadership, character, and commitment that define NASA at its best," said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. "Reid commanded Artemis II after previously spending 165 days aboard the International Space Station, while Victor brought his experience as a naval aviator, test pilot, and Crew-1 astronaut to his role as pilot.
Together, they took on one of the most challenging missions in human spaceflight and helped return America to the lunar environment. As Reid and Victor transition to emeritus status, I'm grateful they will continue sharing what they learned with our astronauts, flight controllers, and engineers as we prepare for Artemis III in 2027 and the missions that follow." As Glover moves into his new role, he plans to remain involved in aerospace, leadership, and public service both within NASA and beyond the agency. A key part of that work will involve passing along his extensive knowledge of Orion and its spacecraft systems to the teams preparing for future Artemis missions.
"As I grow into this new role, NASA and spaceflight remain a meaningful part of my journey of service," said Glover. "I'm excited to keep uplifting my friends and cheering them on as they reach for the Moon. Together, we'll keep pushing boundaries and inspiring the next giant leap." Wiseman will also continue sharing lessons from his spaceflight career as NASA prepares for Artemis III.
That mission is planned for low Earth orbit and will test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial human landing systems. "There is no better place to work, and there are no better people to work with, than those in this agency," said Wiseman. "NASA gave me tremendous responsibility, supported me through two space missions, and my time as chief astronaut, and was always there for my family when we needed it most.
I'm thrilled to continue serving future missions and programs through the emeritus program." NASA leaders emphasized that the transition does not mark the end of Glover and Wiseman's contributions to the agency. Instead, their experience will remain available to astronauts, engineers, flight controllers, and others working on the next stages of NASA's human spaceflight program. "Reid and Victor's commitment to exploration, steady leadership, and service to our astronaut corps and our nation have made a lasting impact," said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
