NASA Names Artemis II Astronauts to Emeritus Program

Kamal Huseynli
2 Min Read
The Artemis II mission patch is seen on the right shoulder of the Orion Crew Survival System suits that Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency) will wear on the Artemis II test flight are seen, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in the suit-up room of the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s Artemis II test flight will take Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen around the Moon and back to Earth no later than April 2026. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronauts Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman are transitioning to emeritus status at the Johnson Space Center in September 2026. Following their landmark Artemis II mission, these Artemis II astronauts will continue to support the agency by mentoring the current workforce and sharing technical expertise as NASA prepares for the upcoming Artemis III mission in 2027 and future lunar exploration.

What does the emeritus status mean for NASA?

The emeritus role allows highly experienced astronauts to continue supporting the agency by donating their time to mentor the current workforce. This transition enables NASA to maintain access to specialized technical knowledge while providing the astronauts with the flexibility to pursue other professional opportunities. Both Glover and Wiseman will continue to share their expertise with flight controllers and engineers as the agency prepares for the upcoming Artemis III mission in 2027.

How will the Artemis II astronauts support future missions?

Glover and Wiseman will focus on transferring their extensive knowledge of the Orion spacecraft and mission operations to the next generation of astronauts. Glover plans to support aerospace and leadership efforts, while Wiseman will share his experience regarding rendezvous and docking capabilities. Their ongoing mentorship is designed to ensure operational excellence as the agency works toward returning American astronauts to the lunar surface in 2028.

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Kamal Huseynli is a journalist, editor, presenter, and media professional with experience in digital news platforms and television. Since 2019, he has worked with Interview.az, Medicina.az, Bakupost.az, News365.az, Space TV, Khazar TV, MTV Azerbaijan, and Western Azerbaijan TV. His areas of expertise include news writing, editorial work, television reporting, fast information delivery, history, geopolitics, and educational media content.