NASA’s Honors Program allows experienced employees to remain involved with the agency by volunteering their expertise. These professional consulting roles give them the flexibility to pursue opportunities outside their previous full-time positions while continuing to train and mentor current NASA employees.

Glover and Wiseman Will Support Future Artemis Missions

“I have had the privilege of knowing Mr. Reed and Mr. Victor for many years, and they exemplify the leadership, character and dedication that define NASA at its best,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.

Wiseman assumed command of Artemis II after previously spending 165 days aboard the International Space Station. Glover brought experience as a naval aviator, test pilot and Crew-1 astronaut to his role as pilot.

Together, they completed one of the most challenging missions in human spaceflight and helped bring America back to the lunar environment. Their experience will continue to support astronauts, engineers and flight controllers preparing for Artemis III and subsequent missions.

While taking on his new role, Glover will remain involved in aerospace, leadership and public service both within and outside NASA. A key part of his work will be sharing his extensive knowledge of Orion and its spacecraft systems with teams preparing future Artemis missions.

“As I grow into this new role, NASA and spaceflight will remain an important part of my service journey,” Glover said. “I’m excited to continue to uplift my friends and cheer them on as they aim for the moon. Together, we will continue to push boundaries and inspire the next big leap.”

NASA Prepares for Artemis III

As NASA prepares for Artemis III, Wiseman plans to share lessons from his spaceflight career. The mission is planned in low Earth orbit and will test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and a commercial human landing system.

“There is no better place to work and no better people to work with than this agency,” Wiseman said. “NASA has given me tremendous responsibility, supported me through two space missions and my time as chief astronaut, and been there for my family whenever I needed them most. I am excited to continue contributing to future missions and programs through the Honors Program.”

NASA leaders emphasized that Glover and Wiseman’s transition does not mark the end of their contributions to the agency. Their experience will remain available to astronauts, engineers, flight controllers and others working on the next phase of NASA’s human spaceflight program.

“Reed and Victor’s exploration, steady leadership, and commitment to service to the astronaut corps and our nation made a lasting impact,” said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

“Throughout their careers, each of them has brought excellence, humility, and purpose to every role at NASA. Their contributions have helped advance our mission, inspired those around them, and left a legacy that continues to shape the future of human spaceflight. We are immeasurably grateful for all they have given to NASA, and we are glad that this is not the end of their journey with NASA.”

Scott Tingle, director of the Johnson Astronaut Office, also highlighted the impact the two astronauts have had on NASA’s astronaut corps.

“Reed and Victor are trusted teammates whose professionalism, calm leadership, and unwavering dedication to NASA have strengthened our office and inspired those around them,” Tingle said. “As they transition to emeritus status, they leave behind a legacy of operational excellence that will continue to shape the Astronaut Corps for years to come. We are grateful that they will continue to be part of our community and share their experiences and insights as we begin our next chapter.”

Artemis II’s Historic Journey Around the Moon

Glover and Wiseman were two of four astronauts aboard Artemis II, the first crewed mission to orbit the moon with astronauts aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft. The spacecraft launched on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket.

They joined NASA astronaut Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen on the 10-day mission. The crew became the first humans to reach lunar orbit in more than 50 years and safely splashed down on April 10. During the mission, the four astronauts traveled farther into space than anyone before them.

The experience Glover and Wiseman gained on Artemis II is expected to play an important role in NASA’s preparations for Artemis III. Their knowledge will also support the broader Artemis campaign as NASA works toward returning American astronauts to the moon’s surface with Artemis IV in 2028.