Artemis II Astronauts Take On Emeritus Roles at NASA
NASA astronauts Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman are moving into emeritus positions at Johnson Space Center after completing the Artemis II mission around the Moon. The emeritus program lets experienced personnel volunteer to train and mentor current employees while pursuing other opportunities. They will continue sharing Orion and spacecraft expertise as NASA prepares for Artemis III in 2027.
Glover and Wiseman will join the emeritus program at Johnson Space Center in Houston in September. This status lets veteran NASA staff volunteer as trainers and mentors after stepping away from full-time duties, preserving specialized knowledge while allowing outside pursuits.
Both flew Artemis II, the first crewed test of Orion, SLS, and Kennedy ground systems. The roughly 10-day lunar mission had four astronauts evaluating Orion in deep space. Wiseman had 165 ISS days; Glover was a naval aviator, test pilot, and Crew-1 astronaut. Artemis III is planned for 2027 in low Earth orbit for Orion and commercial lander rendezvous and docking.
This transition may affect NASA’s workforce and Artemis planning by keeping seasoned mentors available to astronauts, flight controllers, and engineers. It could also shape public perceptions of spaceflight, as familiar Artemis II figures remain visible in advisory roles. Aerospace students and early-career staff may benefit from their experience, while broader audiences may view lunar exploration as an ongoing effort. The impact may depend on how actively they engage and how Artemis III progresses.