CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA has announced that two astronauts who played pivotal roles in the Artemis II moon mission earlier this year are stepping down from active spaceflight. Commander Reid Wiseman and pilot Victor Glover will transition to emeritus astronaut status, allowing them to continue contributing to NASA’s moon exploration program but no longer in active flight roles.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, marking a significant change for both astronauts, who earlier this year flew around the moon in April along with two other crew members, setting a new distance record for humanity. Glover is taking on a leadership position at California Polytechnic State University while Wiseman’s future plans have yet to be disclosed.
With Glover’s and Wiseman’s departure from active duty, only Christina Koch remains among the Artemis II crew on the list of active astronauts. Glover's leadership role at Cal Poly is effective as of September 1, the same day he retired from the Navy. He aims to shape long-term strategies and inspire the next generation of students in science and engineering.
According to Glover, this transition is not a departure but an opportunity to focus on mentoring young people while spending more time with his family. He expressed desire to promote how faith and science intersect in his life, stating, “I want to keep talking about how faith and science work together in my life.” Glover also mentioned his decision to step away from spaceflight was to better focus on his family, particularly with three of his daughters attending Cal Poly.
Wiseman’s status is set to change this month. He was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2009 and served over five months aboard the International Space Station in 2014 before later becoming NASA's chief astronaut. His significant contributions to human spaceflight include commanding Artemis II, which positioned America back in lunar exploration.
Glover gained attention during the Artemis II mission for his eloquent reflections. He emphasized the unity of humanity, saying, "Earth is an oasis in a whole bunch of nothing," highlighting the need for collective effort in addressing global challenges. Meanwhile, Wiseman paid tribute to his late wife, Carroll, by advocating for the naming of a lunar crater in her honor during their mission.
Last month, the Artemis II crew received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor from President Donald Trump during a ceremony at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, celebrating their successful mission and contributions to space exploration.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman expressed gratitude for Wiseman’s and Glover’s commitment and the lasting legacy they will continue to contribute as emeritus astronauts. This new approach allows the agency to leverage their extensive experience and knowledge for upcoming lunar missions while fostering the next generation of space exploration enthusiasts.
