Moon Astronaut Praises Formula 1 Engineering Over NASA

Reid Wiseman, the commander of the Artemis II mission, has taken an unexpected turn in his career by joining the ranks of Formula 1 as an ambassador for the Mercedes team. This move comes just six months after he returned from his historic lunar journey, where he and his crew traveled over 695,000 miles on their lunar flyby ¹³. Wiseman's decision to become an ambassador for the racing team is not merely a change of scenery; it also reflects his belief that Formula 1 has superior engineering compared to NASA, owing to its relentless focus on performance and innovation ³.

Wiseman's transition into the world of motorsports is set against the backdrop of his recent appointment as the associate vice president and deputy director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) at Caltech. His new role, which begins on November 30, 2026, will see him take on strategic leadership and stewardship of JPL operations, as well as serving as the Center Management Authority for JPL mission execution ¹. This dual role highlights the unique perspective Wiseman brings to both the space exploration and automotive worlds.

The Artemis II mission, under Wiseman's command, marked a significant milestone in lunar exploration. It was the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon since the Apollo era, showcasing the advancements made in space travel technology and human endurance ¹. Wiseman's experience as a flight engineer on the International Space Station during the 165-day Expedition 41 mission in 2014 further underscores his expertise in space travel ¹.

In addition to his professional achievements, Wiseman has also formed an unlikely connection with a rising star in the world of motorsports. He met Kimi Antonelli, now 17, at Johnson Space Center, and she is poised to become the youngest world champion at just 20 years old ³. This meeting between two individuals at different stages of their careers highlights the interconnectedness of the worlds of space exploration and auto racing.

Wiseman's educational background, including degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Johns Hopkins University, has equipped him with the knowledge to appreciate the intricate engineering involved in both space missions and Formula 1 races ¹. His leadership roles within NASA, such as being the leader of NASA’s astronaut corps from December 2020 to November 2022, have honed his skills in managing complex operations and teams ¹.

As Wiseman navigates his new roles at JPL and as an ambassador for Mercedes, his insights into the comparative strengths of Formula 1 and NASA engineering offer a fascinating glimpse into the future of technological advancement in both fields.

What we know

• - Wiseman was the commander of the Artemis II mission. ¹²
• - Wiseman has been named the associate vice president and deputy director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) at Caltech. ¹
• - Wiseman will be responsible for strategic leadership and stewardship of JPL operations. ¹
• - Wiseman's new role at JPL starts on November 30, 2026. ¹
• - The Artemis II crew traveled 695,081 miles on their lunar flyby. ¹
• - Wiseman served as flight engineer on the International Space Station for the 165-day Expedition 41 mission in 2014. ¹
• - Wiseman was the leader of NASA’s astronaut corps from December 2020 to November 2022. ¹
• - Wiseman will serve as Center Management Authority for JPL mission execution. ¹
• - The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is NASA's leading center for deep-space robotic missions. ²
• - Wiseman became an ambassador for Mercedes Formula 1 team six months after returning from the Artemis II mission. ³
• - Wiseman considers Formula 1 to have superior engineering compared to NASA due to its focus on performance and innovation. ³
• - Wiseman holds degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Johns Hopkins University. ¹
• - Kimi Antonelli is close to becoming the youngest world champion at 20 years old. ³
• - Wiseman met Kimi Antonelli at Johnson Space Center when Antonelli was 17. ³