A New Chapter for Space Legends
If you followed the Artemis II mission earlier this year, you know that NASA astronauts Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman are basically absolute icons. After helping us get back to the lunar environment and setting a record for traveling farther into space than any humans in history, the duo is officially shifting gears.
Starting this September, both astronauts are transitioning to "emeritus status" at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
What does emeritus mean?
Real talk: this isn't a retirement. The emeritus program is a way for NASA to keep its most experienced legends in the loop. By volunteering their expertise as specialized consultants, Glover and Wiseman get more freedom to pursue outside opportunities while staying deeply involved at NASA. They’ll be mentoring current employees, training the next crop of astronauts, and working with flight controllers and engineers.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman gave them their flowers, noting, "Reid and Victor's commitment to exploration, steady leadership, and service to our astronaut corps and our nation have made a lasting impact."
Why it matters
Their experience is mission-critical. As NASA gears up for Artemis III in 2027—which will test docking the Orion spacecraft with commercial landing systems—and the eventual return to the moon's surface in 2028 with Artemis IV, having Glover and Wiseman’s firsthand knowledge on deck is a major W. They aren't going anywhere, and their expertise is going to live rent-free in the mission plans for years to come. It’s giving legacy energy.
