Victor Glover He assumes a key role in NASA’s next chapter of space exploration. A veteran astronaut and US Navy captain was selected as the vehicle’s pilot Artemis II missiona groundbreaking flight that will send a crew of four on a nearly 10-day journey around the moon, the first crewed mission outside low Earth orbit in more than 50 years. side by side Reid Wiseman, Christina Kochand Jeremy HansenGlover will help guide the mission as it tests NASA’s Orion spacecraft and hurtles further into deep space than any human mission since the Apollo era.
He is also set to make history as the first person of color to travel beyond low Earth orbit and travel around the moon, marking a major milestone for representation in space exploration.
Here’s everything you need to know about his background, career, and path to this historic mission.
He grew up in Pomona, California
Glover was born and raised in Pomona, California. He later attended California Polytechnic State University, where he studied engineering and even played college sports.
He is a US Navy captain and test pilot
Before becoming an astronaut, Glover served as a captain in the US Navy and a test pilot, flying F/A-18s and logging thousands of flight hours in more than 40 aircraft. He also completed combat missions and hundreds of aircraft carrier landings during his military career.
Nicknamed “IKE” — short for “I Know It All” — by his commanding officer, Glover is known for his keen memory and attention to detail.
Even his Artemis 2 crewmate, Weissman, praised the skill, saying, “I’ve never met a human being with a memory like his… He really remembers, word for word, the details of conversations from years ago,” adding that Glover’s accuracy “made me a better astronaut.”
He was the first black astronaut to live on the International Space Station long-term
Glover made history on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 mission when he became the first Black astronaut to serve as a long-term crew member aboard the International Space Station, spending about six months in orbit.
He is married to his wife, Deonna Glover
Victor is married to his wife Deonna GloverThe couple lives in Houston.
He is the father of four children
Glover, along with his wife, is the father of four daughters.
