NASA names Wiseman and Glover first astronaut emeriti after Artemis II

September 10, 2026 at 04:30 PM1 min

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NASA has named Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman and pilot Victor Glover as the agency's first astronaut emeriti, five months after their Moon mission splashdown. The new status allows them to continue supporting Johnson Space Center while pursuing outside roles, with Glover taking a leadership position at California Polytechnic State University.

Key Facts

Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover are the first astronauts to join NASA's emeritus program, which allows them to support Johnson Space Center while pursuing outside employment.
Victor Glover has accepted a full-time administrative leadership position at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
Glover will provide unpaid advisory services to NASA on Orion spacecraft systems and future Artemis missions.
Wiseman plans to share his spaceflight experience ahead of the Artemis III mission targeted for no earlier than mid-2027.

Emeritus Program Launch

NASA's emeritus program, previously used for scientists with groundbreaking research, now includes astronauts for the first time. Glover requested that NASA use the term 'emeritus' rather than 'retire', noting the program is technically a retirement program. The program allows astronauts to remain available for training and mentoring while pursuing outside opportunities.

Glover's Dual Role

Glover will serve as an unpaid advisor and consultant, providing insight into living in the Orion spacecraft. He will receive an access badge and plans to participate in training simulation runs at Johnson Space Center. Glover also hopes to help establish the United States Space Academy, serving NASA and the US Space Force.

Artemis III Preparation

Wiseman will use his emeritus status to share spaceflight experience with colleagues ahead of Artemis III. The Artemis III mission is targeted for no earlier than mid-2027 and will test Orion's rendezvous and docking capabilities with commercial human landing systems in low Earth orbit.