Victor Glover leads NASA's Artemis astronauts into a bold lunar future
Victor Glover, a Southern Californian with deep ties to the region’s aerospace industry, is now shaping the future of moon exploration. As the sole pilot among NASA’s Artemis astronauts, he is preparing to train the next generation of lunar travellers. His career path—from test pilot to spaceflight—has positioned him as a key figure in this new era.
Born in Pomona, Glover grew up in the Inland Empire and attended Ontario High School. He later earned an undergraduate degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo before completing advanced studies at the Naval Postgraduate School and the Air Force Test Pilot School. His early experience as a test pilot at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in the Mojave honed his skills in high-stakes aviation.
The Artemis programme marks a shift from the familiar routines of the International Space Station. Glover argues that astronauts must take greater responsibility for their training, given the complexity of lunar missions. Unlike previous missions, Artemis will require new approaches to prepare crews for the challenges ahead. Glover is the only astronaut to have flown NASA’s Orion capsule, giving him firsthand experience with the spacecraft designed for deep-space travel. He also sees Southern California as an ideal hub for NASA’s ambitions, blending technological expertise with a culture of innovation. His role now extends beyond flying—he is helping to define how future astronauts will train for the moon.
With the Artemis team currently numbering just four, Glover’s leadership will be crucial in the coming years. His background in test flying and spaceflight makes him uniquely qualified to guide the next wave of explorers. The success of NASA’s return to the moon may depend on the training methods he helps develop.
