Artemis II commander and pilot become NASA's first astronaut emeriti
Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman and pilot Victor Glover have become the first NASA astronauts to join the agency's new emeritus program. This status allows them to mentor current staff and support future missions while pursuing external professional opportunities.
Why it matters
This program creates a new framework for retaining institutional knowledge from veteran astronauts as they transition into post-flight careers.
After the moon… Artemis II commander and pilot become NASA’s first astronaut emeriti “Artemis II is done.”
4 Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman (left) and pilot Victor Glover, seen here in March 2026, have become NASA's first astronauts to join its emeritus program than retire outright. Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman (left) and pilot Victor Glover, seen here in March 2026, have become NASA's first astronauts to join its emeritus program than retire outright. Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav The commander and pilot of NASA’s Artemis II mission have gained a new distinction five months after splashing down from the Moon: They’re not fully retiring from the space agency.
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