Artemis II veterans shift to advisory roles at NASA
Artemis II astronauts Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman are moving into emeritus status at NASA's Johnson Space Center after their lunar flyaround earlier in 2026. In these consulting roles, they will volunteer their expertise to advise and mentor agency teams. NASA expects their Orion and deep-space experience to help as it prepares for Artemis III in 2027 and later lunar missions.
Glover and Wiseman are moving into emeritus status at Johnson Space Center in September 2026, after flying around the Moon earlier that year on Artemis II. The emeritus program permits seasoned agency staff to contribute as unpaid advisers, guide colleagues, and support training while allowing more time for pursuits beyond their former full-time jobs.
Glover was Artemis II's pilot; his background includes naval aviation, test flying, and the Crew-1 mission. Wiseman commanded Artemis II, logged 165 days on the International Space Station, and was chief astronaut. NASA anticipates their Orion and deep-space knowledge will assist preparations for Artemis III in 2027, a low Earth orbit mission meant to test Orion rendezvous and docking with commercial human landing systems.
This transition may affect NASA's workforce most directly, keeping two experienced lunar-flight veterans available to mentor engineers, flight controllers, and future crews. It could also shape public perceptions of Artemis by maintaining familiar, credible voices tied to deep-space exploration. For broader society, the impact may be indirect: continued visibility of these astronauts could sustain interest in lunar science and human spaceflight, while the practical benefits concentrate among aerospace professionals and mission planners.