posted 09-09-2026 10:39 AM               

NASA Names Artemis II Astronaut to Emeritus Program

Following his landmark Artemis II mission earlier this year, distinguished NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman 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 ... Reid for years, and [he exemplifies] the leadership, character, and commitment that define NASA at its best." said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. "Reid 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 ... Reid 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."

Wiseman is set to share his spaceflight experience with colleagues ahead of the agency's Artemis III mission in low Earth orbit to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial human landing systems.

"There is no better place to work, and there are no better people to work with, than those in this agency," said Wiseman. "NASA gave me tremendous responsibility, supported me through two space missions, and my time as chief astronaut, and was always there for my family when we needed it most. I'm thrilled to continue serving future missions and programs through the emeritus program."

"Reid'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."

"Reid [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, Wiseman [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 [astronauts Victor Glover 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 Wiseman 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 10-22-2026 09:06 AM               

Former Astronaut Reid Wiseman Joins Mercedes F1 Team

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team is pleased to announce Reid Wiseman as an official Team Ambassador, strengthening a relationship that has grown over recent years through a shared passion for innovation, performance, teamwork, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

A retired U.S. Navy Captain and former NASA astronaut, Reid inspired millions around the world as commander of NASA’s Artemis II mission, humanity's first crewed mission around the Moon in more than half a century. Earlier this year, he was part of the historic mission, helping usher in a new era of space exploration and demonstrating the power of preparation, courage, and collective endeavour.

As an ambassador for the team, Reid will work closely with stakeholders, partners, employees, and guests, helping to showcase the innovation, leadership, and high-performance culture that underpins success in Formula One. Drawing on his unique experiences at the forefront of human exploration, he will bring fresh perspectives on teamwork, decision-making, resilience, and operating in environments where the margins between success and failure are exceptionally small.

F1 and space exploration exist in very different arenas, but both demand extraordinary levels of precision, trust, preparation, and technical excellence. They are disciplines built on relentless innovation and powered by highly skilled teams working together to solve some of the world's most complex challenges. Those shared values have formed the foundation of Reid's relationship with the team and make him a natural addition to the Mercedes F1 family.

Richard Sanders, Chief Commercial Officer of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, said: "Over the past few years, Reid has become a genuine friend of our team. Every conversation leaves you inspired, not just because of where he has been, but because of how he thinks and leads. There are remarkable similarities between F1 and human spaceflight. Both require brilliant people working together, absolute trust in those around you, and the courage to push into the unknown.

"What Reid achieved as commander of Artemis II captured the imagination of millions around the world. We are delighted to welcome him as an ambassador and look forward to sharing his experiences, insights, and perspective with our partners, our team members, and our wider community.”

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team Ambassador Reid Wiseman said: "I've always been struck by how much Formula One and space exploration have in common. In both worlds, success is never about one individual. It is built by talented teams solving difficult problems, preparing relentlessly, and trusting one another when the pressure is at its highest.

"I've been fortunate to spend time with the Mercedes F1 Team in recent seasons and have seen first-hand the culture, innovation, and determination that drives its success. Becoming an ambassador feels like a natural next step in a relationship that has already become very meaningful to me. I'm excited to work with the team and help tell the story of the people, technology, and mindset behind what they achieve."

Artemis II marked humanity’s return to deep space exploration and represented a critical step towards establishing a sustained human presence beyond Earth. As the first crewed mission of the Artemis programme, it validated the systems, technologies, and operational procedures that will underpin future missions to the lunar surface and, ultimately, journeys to Mars.

During the nine-day mission, the crew travelled 252,756 miles from Earth, venturing farther into space than any humans before them and becoming the first people in more than 50 years, since Apollo 13, to witness the far side of the Moon with their own eyes. The mission tested every aspect of NASA’s Orion spacecraft and deep space operations in the challenging environment beyond low Earth orbit.

The precision required throughout the mission was extraordinary. On re-entry, Orion reached speeds of 24,664mph as it returned through Earth’s atmosphere. After travelling a total distance of 694,841 miles, the spacecraft completed its journey with remarkable accuracy, splashing down within one mile of its planned target. The success of Artemis II provided crucial confidence in the systems and capabilities that will enable future astronauts to return to the Moon, paving the way for a new era of human space exploration.

posted 10-28-2026 08:08 PM               

Caltech Names Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman as NASA JPL Deputy

The emeritus NASA astronaut and retired Navy captain will be responsible for the strategic leadership, stewardship, and continuous improvement of laboratory operations.

Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman has been named Caltech associate vice president and deputy director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. The emeritus astronaut and retired U.S. Navy captain begins his new role at NASA's center of excellence for robotics and deep space exploration and at Caltech, which manages JPL for NASA, on Nov. 30, 2026.

"Reid has spent his career at the edge of what is possible, and he has the technical judgment, operational experience, and leadership to help push that edge farther," said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. "As commander of Artemis II, he helped carry America back around the Moon, and now, as an emeritus astronaut, he will continue giving back to NASA from a new vantage point at JPL. Reid is joining a storied laboratory that has made an enormous amount of history, and there is a lot more ahead. I am excited to see what he and the JPL team accomplish in the years to come."

During the Artemis II test flight, Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen journeyed 695,081 miles on a lunar flyby that took them farther than any humans have ever traveled before.

"It feels fitting for Reid, who with the Artemis II crew traveled farther from Earth than any human in history, to join Caltech and JPL — institutions that for nearly 90 years have sent spacecraft into the far reaches of our solar system and beyond," said Dave Gallagher, JPL director and Caltech vice president. "Reid shares our drive for discovery, knows what it takes to lead teams through high-stakes missions, and has a remarkable ability to inspire people everywhere. He adds incredible bench strength to our leadership team as we build on the lab's legacy and shape its future together."

After joining NASA's astronaut corps in 2009, Wiseman went on to serve as flight engineer aboard the International Space Station for the 165-day Expedition 41 mission in 2014 and was a commander of NASA's 21st Extreme Environment Mission Operations expedition, during which he lived for eight days in a habitat on the ocean floor in 2016. As the agency's chief astronaut from December 2020 to November 2022, Wiseman led NASA's astronaut corps, overseeing crew flight readiness and crew safety for all NASA human spaceflight missions. During his years of service at the agency, he has conducted hundreds of scientific experiments.

"I've explored the furthest reaches of what a human can explore at NASA — and there were truly no words in the English vocabulary to describe seeing the Sun disappear behind the Moon from deep space. But that experience was really the jumping off point to go do the impossible things that Caltech and JPL dream, dare together, and do for NASA and the nation," Wiseman said. "What an awesome time in my career to join this team and to try and push humanity and push our understanding of the solar system and the universe."