NASA Artemis II astronauts Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover retire from active flight

NASA has announced that Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover, the commander and pilot of the Artemis II lunar mission, are transitioning from active astronaut roles to emeritus status. Following their historic flight around the moon in April, both will remain involved with the agency by mentoring staff and providing expertise for future lunar exploration missions.

Victor Glover has accepted a leadership position at his alma mater, California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, effective September 1. His new role focuses on strategic initiatives, partnerships, and fostering research in fields such as aerospace, engineering, and artificial intelligence. Reid Wiseman, a former Navy captain and former chief astronaut, will serve as an emeritus astronaut at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, though his specific future plans have not been disclosed.

The transition follows the July retirement of Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency. Of the original four Artemis II crew members, Christina Koch remains the only one on the active astronaut rolls.