Artemis II Commander and Pilot Named NASA's First Astronauts Emeritus
Artemis II mission commander Reid Wiseman and pilot Victor Glover have become the first astronauts named to NASA's emeritus program, allowing them to continue supporting the agency's work.
Artemis II mission commander Reid Wiseman and pilot Victor Glover have been named NASA's first astronauts emeritus, a distinction granted five months after their return from a lunar mission. This new status allows them to continue contributing to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Wiseman and Glover will remain available to train and mentor current astronauts while also being permitted to pursue external employment and opportunities. This program aims to retain the expertise of experienced astronauts within the agency.
"I have asked NASA ... to not use the term 'retire' as much, but technically emeritus is a retirement program," Glover told collectSPACE.com on Wednesday. He noted that the program has historically been used for scientists pursuing academic research or teaching roles.
The Artemis II crew completed a circumlunar flight, testing systems for future human missions to the Moon and beyond under the Artemis program.