What would you do after you get the moon?
NASA announced on Wednesday that astronauts Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman, the pilot and commander of Artemis II, would transition this month to emeritus status at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
“I’ve known Reid and Victor for years, and I’m grateful for everything they have given to NASA, including helping return America to the lunar environment on Artemis II,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “I’m especially glad that service is continuing.”
“Through the emeritus program, they’ll keep mentoring astronauts, flight controllers, and engineers and passing along the experience that will help make Artemis III and the missions that follow stronger. Thank you both for everything you’ve done, and everything you’ll keep doing.”
Glover will support aerospace, leadership and public service efforts both within and outside of NASA, and help inform future Artemis astronauts with his knowledge of piloting the Orion spacecraft. He will also join his alma mater, Cal Poly, to focus on strategic initiatives, partnerships and philanthropy.
Wiseman will likewise share his spaceflight experience with colleagues for upcoming missions.
“The most meaningful moments of my NASA career did not take place in space,” Glover said about his new assignment. “They were supporting astronauts and their families through missions, and mentoring interns and new hires as they began their own journeys in technical and public service.”
“Service is ultimately about people, all people.”
Anyone who watched Artemis II’s four astronauts launch into space on April 1 inside the Orion spacecraft – and saw the stunning pictures and awe-inspiring moments that followed – couldn’t help but be moved by the beauty of creation and humanity’s ability to accomplish remarkable feats.
Hours before the crew aboard the Integrity spacecraft lost contact with Earth for 40 minutes as they sped behind the moon, Glover couldn’t help but share a biblical perspective about their mission: “As we continue to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos, I would like to remind you of one of the most important mysteries there on earth. And that’s love.”
“Christ said in response to what was the greatest command that it was to love God with all that you are. And He also, being a great teacher, said the second is equal to it, and that is to love your neighbor as yourself.”
When the Integrity spacecraft landed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on April 10, millions of Americans felt relieved the astronauts had made it back safely. Their brief journey 252,756 miles away from home left a permanent mark in the hearts and minds of Americans back on Earth.
I wasn’t alive to witness Apollo 8, the first human spaceflight to reach the moon. Nor was I alive to see Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin land a craft and walk on the moon in Apollo 11, with Michael Collins up in space. But witnessing Artemis II, I’m sure I experienced a small portion of what individuals alive to witness those historic moments felt.
Human beings, who are made in God’s image, are capable of remarkable achievements. We can learn about and explore the world, appreciate and care for God’s beautiful creation and love God and one another. The Artemis II crew demonstrated all that in spades.
After getting the moon, pilot Glover and commander Wiseman are retiring – but not really.
They’ll continue a lifelong mission of service to their fellow astronauts, their families and to humans far and wide, albeit in a new capacity. They’ll still be sharing about their journey to the moon and back, I’m sure – and helping prepare the crews of Artemis III and IV, scheduled to launch in 2027 and 2028, respectively.
The two heroes may never again leave Earth to fly to the moon. But they’ll also never leave our memories or our hearts.
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Photo from Getty Images.
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