Artemis II commander and pilot become NASA's first astronaut emeriti

Five months after their successful Artemis II mission to the Moon, commander Reid Wiseman and pilot Victor Glover have achieved a new milestone by becoming NASA's first 'astronaut emeriti.' This newly established program allows the two astronauts to transition away from full-time active duty while maintaining a formal connection with the agency. Under this status, Wiseman and Glover will continue to support operations at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, focusing on mentoring and training the next generation of spaceflight personnel. The emeritus designation provides them with the flexibility to pursue external professional opportunities while ensuring that their extensive experience remains accessible to NASA. Glover noted that the program mirrors academic models, where distinguished researchers retain ties to their institutions to share knowledge. This initiative marks a shift in how NASA manages its veteran astronaut workforce, balancing institutional continuity with individual career growth.