Reid Wiseman, an astronaut with a distinguished career including commanding the Artemis II mission, has been appointed as the Deputy Director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), managed by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). This pivotal appointment marks a new chapter for Wiseman, who will now oversee the strategic development of one of NASA’s premier centers for space exploration.
An Experienced Astronaut Transitions to Leadership
Effective November 30, 2026, Reid Wiseman, a retired U.S. Navy captain and NASA astronaut, will assume the role of Associate Vice President at Caltech and Deputy Director at NASA JPL. JPL is renowned for its pioneering work in robotics and deep space exploration. Wiseman brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at NASA, most notably as commander of Artemis II, the mission that returned humans to lunar orbit for the first time in decades. His profound understanding of operational realities and technical expertise will be instrumental in JPL’s ongoing advancements.
From Spaceflight to Research Management
During the historic Artemis II mission, Wiseman and his crew traveled over 1 million kilometers, completing the longest human spaceflight to date. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson highlighted this experience as crucial preparation for Wiseman’s new responsibilities. “Reid has spent his career pushing the envelope, and he has the technical vision, operational experience, and leadership qualities to help us expand that envelope even further,” Nelson stated. Wiseman also has prior experience aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as a flight engineer and has participated in extreme environment operations, including underwater simulations. Prior to this appointment, he led NASA’s astronaut corps, ensuring the readiness and safety of flight crews. “I have explored the furthest reaches of what humanity can explore at NASA – and indeed, there weren’t words in the English language to describe seeing the Sun disappear behind the Moon from deep space. But that experience was the starting point for achieving impossible things, which Caltech and JPL dream up, dare together, and deliver for NASA and the Nation,” Wiseman shared.
Source: NASA
