NASA: Artemis II astronauts Glover and Wiseman move to emeritus status
The agency said the program allows those "with a high degree of technical and professional knowledge" to support NASA by "donating their time to train and mentor" current employees.
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NASA shared newly released images taken by the Artemis II astronauts during the April 2026 lunar flyby mission around the moon. Here are some of the best photos shot during the flight.
Sept. 9 (UPI) -- NASA announced Wednesday that it has named Artemis II astronauts Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman to the agency's emeritus program at Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The agency said the program allows those "with a high degree of technical and professional knowledge" to support NASA by "donating their time to train and mentor" current employees. This allows "access to top talent in a specialized consultant role" while allowing program members "the flexibility to pursue other opportunities," it said.
NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, shakes hands April 10 with Scott Tingle, chief of the Astronaut Office, on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha after he and his crewmates splashed down after the successful Artemis II mission. Glover and fellow Artemis II astronaut Reid Wiseman will move to emeritus status in the agency, NASA said Wednesday. NASA (Photo Credit: Bill Ingalls/UPI | License Photo)
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said Glover and Wiseman "exemplify the leadership, character and commitment that define NASA at its best."
Members of the Artemis II crew, from left, NASA Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Jeremy Hansen, are shown after attending a media function in early July at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Wiseman and Glover will move to emeritus status in NASA, the agency said Wednesday. (Photo Credit: Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo)
"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," Isaacman said. "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."
Wiseman, the commander of the Artemis II mission, will share his spaceflight experience with colleagues before the Artemis III mission in low Earth orbit, NASA said. The mission is meant to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between the Orion spacecraft and commercial human landing systems.
Artemis II NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, commander, is seen in April after being flown from USS John P. Murtha to Naval Air Station North Island after the crew's successful mission. Wiseman and fellow Artemis II astronaut VIctor Glover will move to emeritus status in the agency, NASA said Wednesday. (Photo Credit: Keegan Barber/UPI | License Photo)
"There is no better place to work, and there are no better people to work with, than those in this agency," Wiseman said. "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."
Glover, the pilot of the Artemis II mission, will support aerospace, leadership and public service efforts, NASA said, and is committed to transferring his knowledge of Orion and its spacecraft systems, along with other knowledge, to those who will be part of future Artemis missions.
"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. Together, we'll keep pushing boundaries and inspiring the next giant leap."
Wiseman, Glover, fellow NASA astronaut Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen were part of the 10-day Artemis II mission earlier this year. The crew splashed down April 10 after a successful mission.
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