Following their historic Artemis II flight around the Moon earlier this year, NASA astronauts Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman are transitioning to emeritus status at the Johnson Space Center. While Wiseman prepares for Artemis III, Glover is taking on an administrative leadership role at California Polytechnic State University.
The veteran spacefarers who traveled farther from Earth than any humans in history are shifting gears. After launching on the Space Launch System rocket and journeying around the Moon, NASA astronauts Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman are entering the agency’s astronaut emeritus program in September. The transition keeps their technical expertise within reach while giving them the freedom to pursue outside endeavors.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman praised the pair’s leadership through the Artemis II mission, noting that both embody the core values of the agency. The emeritus program itself functions as a volunteer consulting pool, letting experienced personnel mentor current staff, train flight controllers, and guide engineers without holding full-time operational posts.
Victor Glover Moves to Alma Mater Cal Poly
For Glover, stepping back from the active astronaut corps after a 13-year career opens the door to higher education. Effective September 1, he took on a full-time administrative leadership role at California Polytechnic State University, his alma mater. In that role, he collaborates with university leaders on long-term strategy, research innovation, and workforce development.
His portfolio at Cal Poly stretches across engineering, applied computing, aerospace, aviation, maritime, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems, and national defense. He also serves as an ambassador to expand initiatives for students pursuing STEM fields.
“As I grow into this new role, NASA and spaceflight remain a meaningful part of my journey of service. 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.”
Victor Glover, NASA Astronaut
Reid Wiseman Prepares NASA for Artemis III
While Glover takes on academic leadership in California, Wiseman remains focused on the next phases of lunar exploration from Houston. As NASA gears up for Artemis III in 2027, Wiseman shares lessons from his career, including his time commanding Artemis II and his prior 165 days aboard the International Space Station.
The Artemis III mission targets low Earth orbit to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between the Orion spacecraft and commercial human landing systems. Subsequent missions like Artemis IV aim to return American astronauts to the lunar surface in 2028.
“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.”
Reid Wiseman, NASA Astronaut
A Historic Legacy Around the Moon
The transition marks the next chapter for two veterans of a landmark flight. Glover and Wiseman flew alongside NASA astronaut Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen on the 10-day Artemis II mission. The crew splashed down on April 10 after becoming the first humans in over half a century to travel to lunar orbit, setting a distance record for human spaceflight.
Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche emphasized that their operational experience continues to benefit the agency. Scott Tingle, chief of the Astronaut Office at Johnson, noted that both astronauts leave a lasting legacy of operational excellence that will shape the astronaut corps for years to come.