Reid Wiseman to Lead Operations at JPL
The former Artemis II commander will become NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory associate vice president and deputy director on November 30.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Space
Reid Wiseman will begin his role as associate vice president and deputy director at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory effective November 30. The position oversees laboratory operations and mission execution.
Why it matters
The appointment places a veteran astronaut who commanded Artemis II in a senior role at a federally funded research center in Pasadena. It comes as all four Artemis II crew members have stepped away from spaceflight for new careers.
The announcement was made by NASA and JPL and shared at a Caltech event, with the appointment effective November 30. Wiseman, who was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2009, spent about six months at the International Space Station in 2014.
The players
Reid Wiseman
Reid Wiseman is a NASA astronaut selected in 2009 who commanded the Artemis II mission and previously spent about six months aboard the International Space Station.
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is NASA's only federally funded research and development center, founded by the California Institute of Technology and based in Southern California.
The details
Wiseman announced in September that he would transition to an emeritus role at NASA before the JPL appointment was announced on October 28 at a Caltech event, where a recorded video message from him was shown. JPL, founded by the California Institute of Technology, is NASA's only federally funded research and development center. Wiseman commanded the Artemis II mission, which launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 1.
Timeline
April 1: Artemis II launched from Kennedy Space Center.
September: Wiseman and Victor Glover announced transitions to emeritus roles.
October 28: Wiseman's JPL appointment was announced at Caltech.
November 30: Wiseman begins his JPL deputy director position.
Big Picture
Artemis II, which flew a crewed lunar flyby over 10 days and traveled 252,756 miles from Earth, set the stage for a potential crewed landing as early as 2028. Wiseman's move to JPL places a key Artemis II leader in a role supporting the laboratory's mission execution as that program advances.
For Pasadena residents and the wider Southern California science community, the appointment places a senior Artemis II leader at a local center that runs NASA's robotic and deep-space missions. The change signals continued leadership continuity at JPL as Artemis work advances toward a possible 2028 landing.
The takeaway
Leadership moves like Wiseman's show how experienced crew members are carrying their expertise into mission support roles after flight. Readers following space policy can track how JPL's operations evolve as Artemis work continues.
What happens next
Wiseman begins his deputy director position at JPL on November 30.
Further reading
Explore more Space coverage to see how NASA's missions and leadership changes are shaping the next era of exploration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Gainesville Sun.
