Reid Wiseman served as Commander of Artemis II, leading humanity’s first crewed journey around the Moon in more than 50 years. A NASA astronaut and former U.S. Navy test pilot, Reid previously spent nearly six months aboard the International Space Station, where he conducted spacewalks and commanded complex orbital operations. His experience, calm leadership and deep sense of purpose made him a natural choice to guide this historic mission.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Reid is also known for his openness about the human side of spaceflight. A single parent raising two daughters, he has often spoken about the weight of responsibility astronauts carry — not only to their missions, but to their families and to humanity itself. That perspective shaped how he approached Artemis II, a mission that tested not just technology, but trust, teamwork and resilience at a distance never experienced before.

During the mission, Reid reflected on the powerful bond formed inside the Orion spacecraft as the crew travelled farther from Earth than any humans in history. Speaking after returning home, he described Artemis II as a uniquely shared human experience that transcended records and milestones.

“We are bonded forever… no one down here is ever going to know what the four of us just went through.”