Veteran Fighter Pilot to Command Artemis II Moon Mission

Reid Wiseman, a former naval aviator and astronaut, will lead NASA's first crewed lunar flight since 1972.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 5:14pm

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Reid Wiseman, a 50-year-old former naval aviator and astronaut, has been named the commander of Artemis II, NASA's first crewed mission to the Moon in over 50 years. Wiseman, who grew up near a National Guard base in Maryland, has had a decorated career as a fighter pilot and test pilot, and previously spent 165 days on the International Space Station.

Why it matters

Artemis II will mark the first time humans have traveled to the Moon since the last Apollo mission in 1972. Wiseman's selection as commander underscores NASA's commitment to sending experienced, veteran astronauts on this historic mission, which aims to pave the way for future long-duration lunar exploration.

The details

Wiseman became a naval aviator in 1999 and went on to have a distinguished career, flying fighter jets in combat and as a test pilot. He was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 2009 and later spent 165 days on the International Space Station, conducting two spacewalks. Wiseman also participated in NASA's Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) program, living undersea in conditions similar to those in a spacecraft. Prior to his selection as Artemis II commander, he served as the chief of NASA's Astronaut Office from 2020 to 2022.

  • Wiseman became a naval aviator in 1999.
  • He was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 2009.
  • Wiseman spent 165 days on the International Space Station in 2013-2014.
  • He participated in the NEEMO program in 2016.
  • Wiseman was named commander of Artemis II in 2023.

The players

Reid Wiseman

A 50-year-old former naval aviator and astronaut who has been selected to command NASA's Artemis II mission, the first crewed lunar flight since 1972.

NASA

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the government agency responsible for the country's civilian space program, including the Artemis lunar exploration program.

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What they’re saying

“'I want to go do that,' he recalled thinking in NASA's Curious Universe podcast. 'Flying is freedom to me.'”

— Reid Wiseman

What’s next

The Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch in 2024, with Wiseman and his crew traveling to the Moon and entering orbit around the lunar surface before returning to Earth.

The takeaway

Wiseman's selection as commander of Artemis II represents a significant milestone in NASA's renewed efforts to explore the Moon, with an experienced astronaut and veteran pilot leading the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years. His journey from a child watching military jets to commanding this historic spaceflight underscores the enduring power of the human spirit to achieve the seemingly impossible.