Transitioning from the Lunar Surface to New Roles
NASA officially transitioned Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman and pilot Victor Glover to emeritus status on September 9, 2026. This move follows the crew's historic flight around the moon in April, which marked the first time humans ventured beyond low Earth orbit since 1972. While the change of status signals a departure from active astronaut duty for the duo, they remain connected to the agency as consultants. They will provide technical advice as NASA gears up for the upcoming Artemis III lunar landing mission currently slated for 2027.
NASA administrator Jared Isaacman noted the agency's desire to retain the institutional memory of these veterans. The emeritus program allows former astronauts to share their flight experience with flight controllers, engineers, and current astronaut candidates without the demands of active flight assignments. This ensures the lessons learned from the Artemis II mission reach the teams working on the next phase of the lunar program.
Career Shifts for the Artemis II Crew
Victor Glover has also retired from his role in the U.S. Navy. Starting September 1, he began a full-time position at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Glover will serve in an administrative capacity, advising university leadership on workforce strategies and educational research. The university expects his background in space operations to influence their existing aerospace programs.
Reid Wiseman has not disclosed specific career plans beyond his work with the NASA emeritus program. Wiseman previously served as chief of the astronaut office from 2020 to 2022, a role that required him to step away from active flight status temporarily before his assignment to Artemis II. He expressed gratitude for the agency's support during his career and confirmed his commitment to assisting future space efforts in this new advisory role.
Canadian Mission Specialist Changes
Jeremy Hansen also updated his professional status this September. On September 8, he confirmed his transition from active duty to reserve status within the Canadian military. Hansen retired as a colonel with the Royal Canadian Air Force and is now serving with the 3 Canadian Space Division. He indicated that his work will involve supporting the Canadian Space Agency when specific opportunities arise for his expertise.
Beyond military service, Hansen accepted a position as the honorary national president of the Air Cadet League of Canada. He plans to remain active in public speaking and recently co-wrote a book titled "Earthrise: A Canadian Astronaut's Journey Into Deep Space," which arrives in stores this October. Christina Koch remains the only member of the quartet without a public change in active astronaut status, suggesting she continues her duties with NASA.
Looking Ahead to Future Missions
The Artemis II mission accomplished its objective of testing the Orion spacecraft in deep space. With the crew moving into new chapters, the focus of the global space community shifts toward the preparations for Artemis III. The experience gathered by Wiseman, Glover, and Hansen provides a foundation for upcoming crews, even as their individual roles shift outside the cockpit.
Future observers should monitor how these emeritus roles affect the training timelines for Artemis III. While the astronauts are no longer slated for flight, their involvement serves as a bridge between the successful lunar flyby and the intended landing on the lunar surface. The transition marks a natural progression for a mission that set records and re-established human capability in deep space.