Two Artemis II astronauts join the NASA emeritus program

NASA astronauts Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman will assume emeritus status at Johnson Space Center in Houston in September after flying around the Moon earlier this year on the Artemis II mission. Both crew members conclude their active flight assignments to take on advisory duties at the Texas facility.

Through this emeritus framework, NASA retains experienced personnel who volunteer their technical knowledge to coach active teams while pursuing outside professional opportunities.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman noted that both astronauts represent the agency’s highest standards of leadership and personal integrity. Isaacman recalled that Wiseman spent 165 days aboard the International Space Station before commanding Artemis II, while Glover served as pilot following earlier experience in naval aviation, flight testing, and Crew-1. Together, the two aviators guided a complex flight profile that restored American operations 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,” Isaacman stated.

Glover plans to assist aerospace initiatives and public programs during his career shift inside and outside the civilian space agency. His ongoing work focuses on passing down operational knowledge of Orion systems to crews assigned to future deep-space exploration.

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“As I grow into this new role, NASA and spaceflight remain a meaningful part of my journey of service,” Glover said. “I’m excited to keep uplifting my friends and cheering them on as they reach for the Moon,” the astronaut stated. “Together, we’ll keep pushing boundaries and inspiring the next giant leap.”

Wiseman will train flight teams on rendezvous maneuvers between Orion and commercial landing craft in low Earth orbit ahead of Artemis III. He assists future flight crews.

“There is no better place to work, and there are no better people to work with, than those in this agency,” Wiseman said. He noted that NASA supported his family through two spaceflights and his assignment as chief astronaut. “I’m thrilled to continue serving future missions and programs through the emeritus program,” the commander stated.

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Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche said both officers built a lasting operational legacy through their commitment to the national space program. Wyche confirmed that their departure from active flight status does not terminate their relationship with the space center.

Astronaut Office Chief Scott Tingle described the two pilots as dependable colleagues whose technical discipline guided their peers. Tingle affirmed that their technical judgment will direct the astronaut corps during upcoming lunar operations. He welcomed their continued involvement in workforce preparation.

Both astronauts previously flew alongside Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen on a 10-day circumlunar voyage aboard the Orion capsule launched by the SLS rocket before splashing down safely on April 10 as the first crew to enter lunar orbit in five decades. That journey traveled deeper into space than any previous human spaceflight.

Advisory participation from Glover and Wiseman will support mission preparations as NASA targets the lunar surface on Artemis IV in 2028.