Artemis II Veterans Transition to Emeritus Roles as Missions Prepare for Return to the Moon

Three members of the Artemis II crew are beginning a new chapter in their careers as the school year starts, following the historic mission that sent humans beyond low Earth orbit for the first time since 1972. NASA announced on Wednesday, September 9, that commander Reid Wiseman and pilot Victor Glover will transition into “emeritus status” effective in September.

Meanwhile, Canadian mission specialist Jeremy Hansen confirmed his move from active duty to the reserves in the Canadian military, sharing the update via a video on X on Tuesday, September 8. The fourth crew member, NASA mission specialist Christina Koch, remains on active duty, with no official announcements suggesting a change in her status.

The quartet completed their lunar flyby in April, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. Their achievements were recognized on August 28 when President Trump presented them with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. Hansen became only the second non-American recipient of this prestigious award, which had previously been bestowed upon just 30 astronauts.

NASA’s description of the emeritus role for Wiseman and Glover indicates they will serve as consultants, leveraging their extensive technical and professional expertise. While the announcement does not explicitly confirm an end to their active astronaut duties, the position is designed to allow them flexibility while assisting with planning for future Artemis missions. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman expressed gratitude for their continued contributions, noting their support will be vital as the agency prepares for Artemis III in 2027.

Glover, who recently retired from the U.S. Navy, has accepted a full-time administrative leadership position at his alma mater, California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. The role, which began on September 1, involves advising senior leadership on education, research, and workforce strategies within the university’s aerospace programs. In a social media post, Glover reflected on the most meaningful aspects of his NASA career, highlighting his work supporting astronauts and mentoring new hires.

Wiseman did not disclose specific career plans but expressed appreciation for the opportunities NASA provided during his tenure, including two space missions and his time as chief of the Astronaut Office. He noted that his previous departure from active flying status between 2020 and 2022 for that leadership role preceded his assignment to Artemis II.

Hansen’s official Artemis II duties concluded on September 2. The Houston-based astronaut, who has been with NASA since 2009, posted a video from Canada where he revealed he has retired as a colonel in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He is now a reservist with the 3 Canadian Space Division, effectively Canada’s space force. Hansen stated his intention to continue serving the Canadian government and the Canadian Space Agency when opportunities arise.

Additionally, Hansen accepted the role of honorary national president with the Air Cadet League of Canada, an organization he credited with developing his flying and leadership skills. He also pledged to continue sharing what he called “moon joy” through public speaking and writing. Hansen recently joined a Canadian keynote speakers bureau to discuss achieving personal goals, and he is set to co-release the book “Earthrise: A Canadian Astronaut’s Journey Into Deep Space” in October with author John Larsen.