Upstate New York Graduate Leads Historic NASA Artemis II Lunar Mission

RPI alumnus Reid Wiseman commanded the crew that traveled farther from Earth than any previous human spaceflight.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:26am

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A highly structured abstract painting in muted earth tones, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, visually representing the complex forces and vast distances involved in the Artemis II lunar mission.The historic Artemis II lunar mission, led by an RPI graduate, pushed the boundaries of human spaceflight and set new records for the farthest distance traveled from Earth.Troy Today

The crew of the Artemis II lunar mission, including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduate Reid Wiseman, is on their way home after a historic spaceflight that took them farther from Earth than any previous human mission. Wiseman, the mission commander, credits his time at the Upstate New York college as a foundational part of his career, saying RPI taught him 'failure resistance' and prepared him to 'go out and change the world.'

Why it matters

The successful Artemis II mission is a major milestone for NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo era. Wiseman's Upstate New York ties highlight how the region's educational institutions are helping shape the next generation of space explorers.

The details

On April 6, 2026, the Artemis II crew of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Cook, and Jeremy Hansen set a new record for the farthest distance from Earth ever traveled by humans, surpassing the record set by Apollo 13. The Orion spacecraft carrying the crew is expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, where it will be recovered by the USS John P. Murtha. Wiseman, a Navy veteran, graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Systems Engineering.

  • The Artemis II mission launched on April 1, 2026 from Cape Canaveral.
  • On April 6, 2026, the Artemis II crew set a new record for the farthest distance from Earth ever traveled by humans.
  • The Orion spacecraft is expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on April 10, 2026.

The players

Reid Wiseman

The commander of the Artemis II mission and a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Systems Engineering in 1997.

Victor Glover

One of the astronauts on the Artemis II mission.

Christina Cook

One of the astronauts on the Artemis II mission.

Jeremy Hansen

One of the astronauts on the Artemis II mission.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

The college in Troy, New York where Reid Wiseman earned his bachelor's degree and credits as a foundational part of his career.

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What they’re saying

“The college taught me 'failure resistance' and prepared me to 'go out and change the world.”

— Reid Wiseman, Artemis II Mission Commander

“Reid Wiseman and his crew are modern-day pioneers who made history and made all of America really proud.”

— President Trump

What’s next

NASA plans to use the data and lessons learned from the successful Artemis II mission to prepare for the Artemis III mission, which aims to land astronauts on the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo program.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission's historic achievements, including setting a new distance record for human spaceflight, demonstrate the continued leadership of NASA and the vital role that educational institutions like Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute play in training the next generation of space explorers.