Reid Wiseman: NASA Astronaut and Artemis II Commander

Reid Wiseman is best known as the commander of NASA’s Artemis II moon mission. He is also a 27-year U.S. Navy veteran and a single father of two daughters after losing his wife, Carroll Taylor Wiseman, to cancer in 2020. This article covers his career, family, and mission role, drawn from NASA’s official biography and other reliable sources.

Last checked: 2026-06-28

Full name: Gregory Reid Wiseman · Occupation: NASA Astronaut, U.S. Navy Captain, Test Pilot · Children: 2 daughters · Key mission: Commander of Artemis II (2026)

What happened to astronaut Reid Wiseman’s wife?

Carroll Taylor Wiseman, Reid Wiseman’s wife, died in May 2020. According to NASA’s official biography, she dedicated her life to helping others as a newborn intensive care unit registered nurse. Multiple reports, including a TODAY article, confirm she passed away at the age of 46 after a five-year battle with cancer. The exact date in May 2020 is not widely publicized, but the year and cause are corroborated by both NASA and media sources.

The Passing of Carroll Wiseman

Carroll was a registered nurse in the newborn intensive care unit, a role NASA highlighted in her official remembrance. She and Reid had two daughters together. In a NASA YouTube video, Wiseman stated: “By far, the biggest challenge was losing my wife in 2020 to cancer.” The family has kept most details private, but the public record shows that her death left Wiseman as the sole parent to their two children.

How Wiseman Became a Single Father

After Carroll’s death, Wiseman became the only parent to his two teenage daughters. He has described this phase as both his greatest challenge and most rewarding time. NASA’s biography states: “Despite a long list of professional accolades, Reid considers his time as an only parent as his greatest challenge and the most rewarding phase of his life.” This personal story has resonated widely, adding a human dimension to his public role as an astronaut.

“By far, the biggest challenge was losing my wife in 2020 to cancer.”

— Reid Wiseman, in a NASA video (source)

The takeaway: Wiseman’s transition to single fatherhood is a central part of his personal narrative, one that NASA itself has chosen to highlight in its official materials.

Is Reid Wiseman a single dad?

Yes, Reid Wiseman is a single father to his two daughters. He has spoken openly about the challenges and rewards of raising them alone while managing a high-profile career at NASA.

His Daughters: “My Whole Life”

In the same NASA YouTube video, Wiseman said: “And now raising two daughters, who are grown up now.” Although he has not publicly shared their names, he frequently refers to them as his motivation. In a 2024 interview, he described his daughters as “my whole life.” The bond is evident in the way he balances work and family.

“His late wife, Carroll, dedicated her life to helping others as a newborn intensive care unit Registered Nurse.”

— NASA official biography (source)

Balancing Space Missions and Fatherhood

Wiseman’s schedule as commander of Artemis II demands extensive training, travel, and public appearances. Yet he has prioritized being present for his children. His tenure as Chief of the Astronaut Office (December 2020–November 2022) likely gave him some schedule flexibility, though he has never used that as an excuse. The trade-off between career and family is a theme he addresses honestly.

The bottom line: Wiseman is not only a NASA commander but also a dedicated single dad, and he has integrated that identity into his public story.

Reid Wiseman Artemis 2

Reid Wiseman was named commander of Artemis II, the first crewed mission of NASA’s Artemis program, currently scheduled for 2026. The four-person crew also includes Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The mission will fly astronauts around the Moon and back, paving the way for the Artemis III landing.

Artemis II Mission Overview

Artemis II is designed to test the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft with a human crew. The flight will last about 10 days and will not land on the Moon, but it will be the farthest humans have traveled beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17. According to NASA, the crew includes:

• Reid Wiseman (commander)
• Victor Glover (pilot)
• Christina Koch (mission specialist)
• Jeremy Hansen (mission specialist, Canadian Space Agency)

Wiseman’s Path to Commander

Wiseman was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2009, served as Flight Engineer on Expedition 41 in 2014, and later became Chief of the Astronaut Office before being tapped for Artemis II. His background as a 27-year Navy veteran and test pilot – he flew the F/A-18 – made him a natural fit for the commander role. The rigorous astronaut selection process echoes the competitive evaluations seen in major defense aerospace projects, such as Canada’s fighter jet competition, where performance and leadership are paramount.

The growth of the commercial space sector has also increased public interest in space exploration. For context on private wealth in aerospace, see our analysis of Jeff Bezos’ net worth 2025.

“Despite a long list of professional accolades, Reid considers his time as an only parent as his greatest challenge and the most rewarding phase of his life.”

— NASA official biography (source)

What to watch: Wiseman’s leadership on Artemis II will be closely observed, not only for technical milestones but also for how he balances the public eye with his private role as a father.

Artemis II Crew: Comparison

The four Artemis II astronauts bring diverse backgrounds. The table below summarizes their roles and experience.

For a deeper look into Reid Wisemans personal journey, including how he balances single fatherhood with commanding Artemis II, this biography offers a comprehensive account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• NASA – Reid Wiseman official biography
• TODAY – Carroll Wiseman cause of death
• NASA – Astronaut G. Reid Wiseman (alternate page)