Key Takeaways
- Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover, Artemis II commander and pilot, join NASA's emeritus program.
- They will support current workforce training and mentoring while pursuing external opportunities.
- The emeritus program allows astronauts to continue contributing to space agency work.
NASA has announced that Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover, the commander and pilot of the Artemis II mission, will join the space agency's emeritus program. This move comes five months after their successful splashdown from the Moon.
The emeritus program is designed to enable astronauts to continue supporting NASA's work, particularly at Johnson Space Center in Houston, while they pursue other opportunities outside the agency.
Glover, speaking to collectSPACE.com, explained that the term 'emeritus' is used instead of 'retire' to reflect the ongoing nature of their involvement. 'Technically, emeritus is a retirement program, but I have asked NASA to not use the term 'retire' as much,' he said.
Wiseman and Glover will remain available to train and mentor the current workforce, ensuring the transfer of knowledge and experience to the next generation of astronauts and space professionals.
The program allows astronauts to balance their contributions to NASA with the pursuit of employment and opportunities in other sectors, providing a flexible framework for their continued involvement in space exploration.
This initiative reflects NASA's commitment to leveraging the expertise of its retired astronauts while maintaining their connection to the agency's ongoing projects and missions.
The emeritus program is seen as a way to retain the valuable skills and knowledge of astronauts who have completed their active service, ensuring that their experience can continue to benefit NASA's future endeavors.
I have asked NASA … to not use the term 'retire' as much, but technically emeritus is a retirement program.
Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot
