NASA’s Artemis II Commander and Pilot Become Agency’s First Astronauts Emeriti

Five months after their return from the Artemis II lunar mission, commander Reid Wiseman and pilot Victor Glover have been designated as NASA’s inaugural astronauts emeriti. The distinction marks a new chapter for the pair, allowing them to maintain a professional connection with the space agency without being classified as fully retired.

As members of the emeritus program, Wiseman and Glover will continue to support operations at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Their role involves training and mentoring current NASA personnel while simultaneously retaining the flexibility to pursue employment and other opportunities outside the agency.

Glover clarified the nature of the appointment in comments made to collectSPACE.com on Wednesday. While acknowledging that emeritus status is technically a form of retirement, he noted a preference for minimizing the use of that specific term. He explained that the program is traditionally reserved for scientists who have conducted groundbreaking research and wish to return to academia for teaching and publication, suggesting the astronaut iteration serves a similar purpose of sustained contribution.