posted 09-09-2026 10:11 AM               

NASA Names Artemis II Astronaut to Emeritus Program

Following his landmark Artemis II mission earlier this year, distinguished NASA astronaut Victor Glover is transitioning in September to emeritus status at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

In an emeritus role, individuals with a high degree of technical and professional knowledge can continue to support the agency by donating their time to train and mentor the current workforce. This allows the agency to maintain access to top talent in a specialized consultant role, while simultaneously providing the individual with the flexibility to pursue other opportunities.

"I've had the privilege of knowing ... Victor for years, and [he exemplifies] the leadership, character, and commitment that define NASA at its best." said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. "Victor brought his experience as a naval aviator, test pilot, and Crew-1 astronaut to his role as pilot. [He] took on one of the most challenging missions in human spaceflight and helped return America to the lunar environment. As ... Victor transition[s] to emeritus status, I'm grateful [he] will continue sharing what [he] learned with our astronauts, flight controllers, and engineers as we prepare for Artemis III in 2027 and the missions that follow."

Glover will support aerospace, leadership, and public service efforts as he transitions within and outside of NASA. He's committed to transferring his knowledge of Orion and its spacecraft systems, among other expertise, to future Artemis missions.

"As I grow into this new role, NASA and spaceflight remain a meaningful part of my journey of service," said Glover. "I'm excited to keep uplifting my friends and cheering them on as they reach for the Moon. Together, we'll keep pushing boundaries and inspiring the next giant leap."

"Victor's commitment to exploration, steady leadership, and service to our astronaut corps and our nation [has] made a lasting impact," said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "Throughout [his career, he has] brought excellence, humility, and purpose to every role [he has] held at NASA. [His] contributions have helped advance our mission and inspire those around [him], leaving a legacy that will continue to shape the future of human spaceflight. We are immeasurably grateful for all [he has] given to NASA and are glad that this is not the end of [his] journey with the agency."

"Victor [is a trusted teammate] whose professionalism, calm leadership, and unwavering commitment to NASA [has] strengthened our office and inspired everyone around [him]," said Scott Tingle, chief of the Astronaut Office at Johnson. "As [he transitions] into [his emeritus role, he leaves] a legacy of operational excellence that will continue shaping the astronaut corps for years to come. We're grateful that [he] will still be part of our community, sharing [his] experience and insight as [he] begins this next chapter."

Among [his] many accomplishments at NASA, as [an] Artemis II crew member, Glover [was one] of the four astronauts to first launch on top NASA's SLS (Space Launch System) rocket aboard the Orion spacecraft for a mission around the Moon. Following a 10-day mission with crewmates NASA astronaut [Reid Wiseman and] Christina Koch and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, they safely splashed down on April 10 as the first humans to travel to lunar orbit in more than 50 years, ultimately flying farther in space than anyone had before.

Support and knowledge transfer from Glover is critical for the upcoming Artemis III mission as NASA prepares to return American astronauts to the lunar surface on the Artemis IV mission in 2028.

posted 09-09-2026 10:42 AM               

NASA Astronaut Victor Glover Returns Full Time to His Alma Mater, Cal Poly, After Historic Artemis II Mission

Glover's administrative position will focus on strategic initiatives and fostering partnerships and philanthropy

Cal Poly, ranked among the nation's top 10 public universities, has announced that alum and recently retired U.S. Navy captain and emeritus NASA astronaut Victor Glover has taken on a full-time administrative leadership position with the university, effective Sept. 1.

Glover, who piloted NASA's Artemis II mission around the moon in spring 2026, returns to his alma mater to provide counsel to President Jeffrey D. Armstrong and other senior leaders. In his new role, Glover will help shape Cal Poly's long-term strategies that position the university (including the Cal Poly Maritime Academy) as a global leader in polytechnic education, research innovation and workforce production.

"My Learn by Doing experience at Cal Poly was the launch pad for my journeys around the world and the moon," Glover said. "Though I feel like I've never left, to be able to come back to this institution that has meant so much to me and to my family is a gift. I am excited to give that gift in service to student success!"

Glover will work collaboratively with the president, provost, college deans and other university leaders to identify, develop and accelerate strategic initiatives, partnerships and philanthropy aimed at expanding the university's leadership in engineering, applied computing, aerospace, aviation, maritime, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems and national defense. He will also serve an ambassadorial role, representing the university at strategic engagements and championing initiatives that inspire the next generation of students to pursue STEM-related disciplines.

A 1999 graduate with a degree in engineering, Glover has long pointed to Cal Poly's Learn by Doing education and his experience as a student-athlete in wrestling and football as key to his professional success as a Navy fighter pilot, a legislative fellow with Sen. John McCain, and his groundbreaking work with NASA.

"I could not be more thrilled to have Victor back to Cal Poly and work alongside him to accelerate our success with Learn by Doing and keep it thriving for decades to come," said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. "Victor is the embodiment of how far Learn by Doing can propel a Cal Poly graduate, and we share a vision of ensuring that our university continues to produce future generations of pioneers and leaders."

Glover joins Cal Poly after his recent retirement from the Navy and transition to NASA emeritus.

His achievements in space exploration included piloting the second-ever crewed flight of SpaceX's Crew Dragon; living aboard the International Space Station for 168 days from November 2020 to May 2021; and traveling beyond low Earth orbit and around the moon as part of Artemis II's Orion spacecraft. Artemis II captivated the nation and the world as the first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit since 1972, and Glover and his fellow crewmembers sent home dazzling images and descriptions of the moon's far side.

Glover's family has broad connections to Cal Poly. His wife, Dionna, is an alumna, and the two met on campus while they were students in the 1990s. And the couple have four daughters, all of whom are Cal Poly students or recent graduates.

Cal Poly is a nationally ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and is known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. It is a member of the 22-campus California State University system.

posted 09-09-2026 05:52 PM               

This is a retirement program, though, so there is no returning to flight/active status.

quote:

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Originally posted by DeepSea:
I would have bet good money on him getting back in line to command.

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To fly two missions in the current age is a gift. Flying three missions is kind of unheard of with the lower flight rate that we have now — when the shuttle was flying, that was more common.

So, when I got asked to do this [Artemis II] on March 7, 2023, I knew it would be my last time flying in space.