Reid Wiseman Named Deputy Director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Reid Wiseman will become Caltech associate vice president and deputy director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory on November 30, 2026, according to JPL’s appointment announcement. He will serve under JPL Director Dave Gallagher and help oversee laboratory operations.

Key details

• Wiseman’s responsibilities are reported to include strategic leadership, stewardship, and continuous improvement of JPL operations.
• NASA selected Wiseman as an astronaut in 2009. He previously served as a U.S. Navy aviator and test pilot.
• Wiseman served as NASA chief astronaut from December 2020 to November 2022.
• During his first spaceflight aboard Soyuz TMA-13M, Wiseman spent 165 days in orbit, served on ISS Expeditions 40 and 41, and completed two spacewalks totaling nearly 13 hours.
• JPL, which Caltech manages, conducts robotic space exploration and operates NASA’s Deep Space Network. Its missions include the Perseverance and Curiosity rovers, Europa Clipper, and Voyager.

Reid Wiseman spent 165 days in orbit on his first spaceflight and completed two spacewalks.

Why it matters

Wiseman’s appointment brings an astronaut and former NASA chief astronaut into JPL’s leadership. The laboratory manages robotic exploration missions and the Deep Space Network, which supports NASA’s work beyond Earth.

What happens next

Wiseman is scheduled to take up the deputy director role on November 30, 2026, working under Dave Gallagher as he helps oversee JPL operations. Which JPL mission are you most interested in following?