Who is Reid Wiseman, the commander of NASA’s Artemis II Mission

This Wednesday, the Artemis II mission will take four astronauts to the Moon on a 10-day flight that will circle the satellite and could take them farther from Earth than anyone in history. One of them, the captain, is called Reid Wisemanand this is what is known about him.

The commander’s name was announced along with that of Christina Koch, Victor Glover and the Canadian Jeremy Hansen at a conference in 2023.

Wiseman, who knew how to be Head of the Astronaut Office from 2020 to 2022, he was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2009. He is an engineer and has 27 years of service in the Navy, according to the official website of the US agency.

In 2014 he was part of Expedition 41 on the International Space Station (ISS), where he served as a Flight Engineer. He lived 165 days on the ISSwhere he worked on more than 300 scientific experiments. He also led nearly 13 hours of spacewalks during two trips outside the orbital complex.

Reid Wiseman was born in Baltimore, Maryland, 50 years ago. He is a widower and father of two children. He graduated from high school in Maryland in 1993 and earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer and Systems Engineering, a master’s degree in Systems Engineering, and a certificate in Space Systems.

NASA highlights that, despite his long list of professional recognitions, Reid believes that His experience as a single father was his greatest challenge and the most rewarding time of his life.. «When faced with any challenge, whether personal or professional, Reid often seeks guidance from books by experts in the field and maintains a growth mindset oriented toward learning and the search for collaborative solutions,» the site indicates.

Reid was selected in June 2009 as one of nine members of NASA’s 20th class of astronauts. He reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 2009 and completed his astronaut training in May 2011.

His awards include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Air Medal with combat badge (five decorations), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat badge (four decorations), the Navy and Marine Corps Medal of Merit, and other campaign and service decorations.