Artemis II Commander, Pilot Retire from NASA Astronaut Roles

NASA announced Wednesday that Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman and pilot Victor Glover will no longer serve as active astronauts, stepping away from spaceflight following their historic lunar mission earlier this year. The two decorated astronauts will continue to support the moon exploration program in new capacities as emeritus astronauts. Glover has already accepted a leadership position at his alma mater, California Polytechnic State University, while Wiseman’s future plans remain undisclosed. The departures leave Christina Koch as the sole active astronaut from the Artemis II crew, following Jeremy Hansen’s retirement from the Canadian Space Agency in July.

Wiseman and Glover flew around the moon in April aboard Artemis II with Hansen and Koch, achieving a new distance record for humanity and marking a significant step in NASA's ambitious return-to-the-moon program. As emeritus astronauts, they will lend their expertise to train and mentor NASA personnel, sharing invaluable knowledge crucial for upcoming lunar missions. This new approach, according to the space agency, aims to leverage the profound experience of its seasoned astronauts.

Transitioning to New Roles

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman expressed gratitude for the astronauts' contributions, stating, "Together, they took on one of the most challenging missions in human spaceflight and helped return America to the lunar environment. I’m grateful they will continue sharing what they learned." Cal Poly confirmed that Glover will play a key role in shaping long-term strategies and inspiring students in science and engineering fields. His new role at the San Luis Obispo campus took effect on September 1, the same day he retired from the U.S. Navy. In an interview, Glover emphasized that this transition is not an end but an expansion: "This is not a leaving, for me, this is opening the aperture, not closing it down."

Glover articulated his desire to continue discussions on the synergy between faith and science in his life, noting, "That’s not NASA’s mission, but I can still help NASA from the sidelines." He explained that rather than waiting for a potential moon-landing mission command, he chose to prioritize focusing his efforts on educating and inspiring young people and spending more quality time with his wife and four daughters, three of whom are currently enrolled at Cal Poly.

Wiseman, who was selected by NASA as an astronaut in 2009, is a retired Navy captain. He previously spent over five months aboard the International Space Station in 2014 and later served as NASA’s chief astronaut. Glover, a 1999 Cal Poly graduate, became a Navy test pilot before joining NASA as an astronaut in 2013. He also served as pilot on SpaceX’s second crewed mission for NASA, a nearly six-month assignment to the space station from 2020 to 2021.

During the Artemis II mission, both astronauts shared profound reflections on humanity's place in the cosmos. Glover eloquently described Earth as a unique oasis within the vast universe, emphasizing humanity's shared existence and the need for unity. Wiseman also brought a deeply personal element to the mission, requesting permission to name a lunar crater in honor of his late wife, Carroll, who passed away from cancer in 2020. The Artemis II crew was recently recognized with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor by President Donald Trump during a ceremony at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.