Caltech Appoints Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman as Deputy Director at NASA JPL

Reid Wiseman, a former NASA astronaut and commander of the Artemis II mission, has been appointed as the associate vice president of Caltech and deputy director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California. Wiseman will officially commence his role on 30th November 2026, bringing a wealth of experience to this prestigious institution that is renowned for its expertise in robotics and deep space exploration.

A Legacy of Exploration and Leadership

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman expressed his enthusiasm regarding Wiseman’s appointment, stating, “Reid has spent his career at the edge of what is possible, and he has the technical judgment, operational experience, and leadership to help push that edge farther.” He highlighted Wiseman’s significant role in the Artemis II mission, which marked a historic lunar flyby, taking the crew further from Earth than any humans have ventured before.

During this remarkable mission, Wiseman, alongside fellow astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, travelled a staggering 695,081 miles. “It feels fitting for Reid, who with the Artemis II crew travelled farther from Earth than any human in history, to join Caltech and JPL,” remarked Dave Gallagher, JPL director and Caltech vice president. He emphasised Wiseman’s shared passion for discovery and his extraordinary capability to lead high-stakes missions, asserting that his addition to the leadership team would bolster the laboratory’s legacy.

Extensive Astronaut Experience

Wiseman began his journey with NASA as part of the astronaut corps in 2009. He served as a flight engineer aboard the International Space Station during Expedition 41 in 2014, followed by a role as commander of NASA’s 21st Extreme Environment Mission Operations expedition, where he spent eight days living on the ocean floor in 2016. From December 2020 to November 2022, he held the position of chief astronaut, overseeing crew readiness and safety for all human spaceflight missions, during which he conducted numerous scientific experiments.

Reflecting on his experiences, Wiseman stated, “I’ve explored the furthest reaches of what a human can explore at NASA — and there were truly no words in the English vocabulary to describe seeing the Sun disappear behind the Moon from deep space.” He expressed excitement about joining Caltech and JPL, aiming to contribute to groundbreaking advancements in our understanding of the solar system and beyond.

Strategic Leadership for Future Endeavours

As he steps into his new role, Wiseman will oversee strategic leadership and continuous improvement of laboratory operations at JPL, collaborating closely with Caltech on institutional planning and management. He will serve as the Centre Management Authority for mission execution, ensuring operational excellence in line with NASA requirements and applicable regulations while also acting as JPL’s primary liaison for national security programmes.

Caltech President Ray Jayawardhana remarked on Wiseman’s unique perspective, noting, “Reid brings to Caltech and JPL a truly unprecedented view of what humanity can achieve when ingenuity and determination are matched with the courage to pursue the furthest frontiers.” He conveyed his anticipation for a collaborative effort with Wiseman and Gallagher as they chart a new era of exploration in partnership with NASA.

A Robust Background in Engineering and Aviation

Wiseman’s academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree in computer and systems engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a master’s degree in systems engineering from Johns Hopkins University. His background also includes a distinguished career in the Navy, where he flew combat missions and served as a test pilot.

As Reid Wiseman prepares to embark on this new chapter at Caltech and JPL, the scientific community eagerly awaits the innovative contributions he is poised to make in advancing humanity’s exploration of space.