NASA astronaut Victor Glover, who recently returned from the Artemis II mission around the Moon, is moving on from the agency and already looking ahead to his next chapter in space exploration. In an interview, Glover made clear that his departure is not a step away from space but a redirection of his career. «If I wanted to go to space, I would have stayed at NASA,» he said, signaling that his ambitions now extend beyond flying missions as a government astronaut.
Glover served as pilot on Artemis II, the first crewed flight of NASA's Artemis program, which sent four astronauts on a journey around the Moon and back. The mission marked a major milestone in the agency's effort to return humans to the lunar surface and eventually reach Mars. For Glover, the flight capped years of training and represented the culmination of a long-held goal. Now, he is weighing opportunities that could keep him involved in spaceflight from a different vantage point.
His comment suggests that leaving NASA was a deliberate choice tied to broader aspirations rather than a retreat from space. While he did not detail specific plans, the statement implies he is seeking a role that offers a different kind of impact, perhaps in the private sector, commercial space, or another organization where he can contribute to exploration without remaining in the astronaut corps. The move reflects a growing trend of experienced astronauts transitioning to commercial or entrepreneurial ventures as the space industry expands.
Artemis II was a critical test of the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System rocket, carrying astronauts farther from Earth than any crewed mission in more than five decades. The flight validated key systems and paved the way for Artemis III, which aims to land astronauts on the lunar surface. Glover's participation made him part of a select group that has traveled to the Moon's vicinity, and his experience will likely inform his future work.
Before joining NASA, Glover was a U.S. Navy test pilot and flew combat missions. He was selected as an astronaut in 2013 and later served as a flight engineer on the International Space Station during Expedition 64, spending six months in orbit. His career has spanned military aviation, orbital operations, and now lunar exploration. That breadth of experience positions him well for leadership roles in the evolving space sector.
The timing of his departure comes as NASA and its partners push forward with Artemis and commercial space stations. Private companies are increasingly hiring former astronauts to advise on spacecraft design, safety, and mission operations. Glover's decision may be part of that broader shift, where talent moves between government and industry to accelerate innovation.
While Glover has not announced a specific new position, his statement makes clear that his passion for space remains intact. He is not leaving the field but rather changing his role within it. For a astronaut who has flown to the Moon, the next mission may be to help shape how others get there.
