
Because NASA’s Artemis II mission marks a historic return for crew travel to the Moon, Commander Reid Wiseman Leading a high-profile flight around the moon. The veteran astronaut and former Navy aviator spent years preparing for the mission, all while raising his family. Wiseman is the father of two daughters, whom he shares with his late wife, Carol Taylor WeismanWho died in 2020 after a struggle with cancer.
During the mission’s record-breaking lunar flyby, Wiseman’s colleagues paid an emotional tribute to her, suggesting that the newly observed crater be named “Carol.” Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen “Many years ago, we started this journey as a close-knit astronaut family, and we lost someone very dear to us… Her name was Carol,” he said, as the crew celebrated the moment together.
Below, learn more about the Weissman family.
Who is he Reid Wiseman?
Weissman is a NASA astronaut and former U.S. Navy pilot who serves as commander of NASA’s Artemis 2 mission — the first manned flight around the moon in more than 50 years. He previously spent months aboard the International Space Station in 2014 and held leadership roles in NASA’s Astronaut Office.

How many children does Reed Wiseman have?
Wiseman has two children – daughters named Ellie and Catherine.
Weissman posted on Instagram that one of his daughters had leaked cookies into his luggage. “When you pack for the moon and find out your daughter snuck some cookies she made in your luggage. My heart can’t take it! ❤️❤️❤️,” he wrote in the caption.
What happened to Reed Wiseman’s wife, Carol?
Weisman’s wife, Carol Taylor Weisman, died in May 2020 at age 46 after a five-year battle with cancer. The couple have been married since 2003 and have two daughters.
Carol has dedicated her career to helping others, working as a Registered Nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit NASA. per Baltimore bannerDuring her illness, Weissman stepped back from active flight duty and assumed leadership roles within NASA’s Astronaut Office, first as deputy and later as chief. After her death, Weisman raised their daughters as a single parent. He returned to the flight rotation in November 2022 and was subsequently selected to command Artemis II.
