Commanding the 2026 Artemis II lunar flyby mission, Reid Wiseman became the oldest human to travel beyond low Earth orbit at age 50. This mission marked the first crewed flight around the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972, placing the crew at the farthest distance from Earth that humans have ever recorded in history.
Formative Years and Engineering Education
Born in Baltimore in 1975, Wiseman attended Dulaney High School in Cockeysville. He pursued technical training at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, graduating in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer and systems engineering. He later expanded his academic credentials by earning a Master of Science in systems engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 2006.
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Commissioned via the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, Wiseman earned his designation as a Naval Aviator in 1999. He gained extensive experience as a fighter pilot, flying the F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18F Super Hornet during multiple deployments to the Middle East. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in 2004, he served at the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three, where he conducted flight-test programs on the F-35C Lightning II and T-45 Goshawk.
NASA Career and Expedition 40/41
Selected as a NASA candidate in 2009, Wiseman joined a select group of nine individuals chosen from 3,500 applicants. His first spaceflight took place in 2014, when he served as a flight engineer aboard the International Space Station during the six-month Expedition 40/41 mission. Beyond space flight, he furthered his operational experience by participating in the Extreme Environment Mission Operations program as an aquanaut in 2016.
Leadership and Lunar Exploration
From 2020 to 2022, Wiseman served as the 17th chief of the Astronaut Office. He subsequently shifted his focus to the Artemis program, leading the 2026 lunar flyby mission. During this mission, he oversaw critical crew safety and execution duties while documenting the journey with images and video. Following his return to Earth, he transitioned to emeritus status, pivoting his career toward mentorship and training within the agency.
Fast facts
- Born: 1975, Baltimore
- Education: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Johns Hopkins University
- Military Rank: Commander
- NASA Selection: 2009
- Expedition 40/41 Duration: May–November 2014
- Artemis II Mission Launch: April 1, 2026
- Awards: Air Medal
Questions readers ask
What record did Wiseman set during the Artemis II mission?
At age 50, he became the oldest person to travel beyond low Earth orbit.
What is Wiseman's current professional status at NASA?
As of September 2026, he holds emeritus status, which focuses on training and mentoring rather than flight eligibility.
Achievements
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Educated at Dulaney High School, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and United States Naval Test Pilot School
- Worked as naval officer, astronaut and systems engineer
