Artemis II scheduled to return to Earth tomorrow, featuring two NPS alumni
After 10 days in space, the Artemis II crew is scheduled to return to Earth tomorrow, April 10, with splashdown in the Pacific Ocean at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT. The mission is commanded by NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Certificate of Space Systems ’08, with pilot Victor Glover, MS in Systems Engineering ’09.
Artemis II marks NASA’s first crewed mission beyond low-Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972 and will carry astronauts farther from Earth than any human spaceflight to date. The mission has drawn global attention throughout its duration. Below is a selection of coverage and highlights, including features on the two NPS alumni serving as mission commander and pilot.
The 2025 Annual Report provides a comprehensive overview of the institution’s activities, outcomes, and impact across the past year. As a Naval command with a graduate education mission, NPS remains accountable to the Department of the Navy, and this report reflects measurable progress in education, research, and operational relevance.
The report includes a message from leadership, a look at institutional history and future direction, and key insights across academic programs, research efforts, and innovation initiatives. It also highlights mission measures, degree production, international enrollment, and the broader NPS ecosystem, alongside select data points from student and alumni surveys. Learn more.
Moving Fast Enough to Matter: NPS Foundation Engagement at Sea-Air-Space
At Sea-Air-Space, conversations across keynotes, panels, and working sessions returned to a shared reality: technology is accelerating, timelines are compressing, and traditional systems for developing and fielding capability were not built for this pace. Remarks from DARPA Director Stephen Winchell focused on moving efficiently from problem definition to development to application, a theme that carried through engagements where NPS students and faculty connected directly with industry partners and defense leaders on operational challenges. Learn more.
"Like others here, I benefited from educators who inspired relentless exploration and focused on delivering decisive advantage to our warfighters. Based on my meeting with students earlier today, I'm excited by the next generation of creative problem solvers." — DARPA Director Stephen Winchell, NPS Alumnus
The Foundational Partner Award honors early leaders whose support has helped advance the vision, development and momentum of the Naval Innovation Center at NPS, a new model for innovation that will bring together military students, researchers and industry partners to accelerate how technologies are developed, tested and applied. The recognition came during a reception held in conjunction with the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space. Learn more.
Accelerating Ideas to Impact: Warfighters and Industry Winning the Innovation Race at NPS
The NPS-led panel brought together operators, industry and defense leaders to discuss what actually enables speed from idea to capability. Across perspectives, a consistent theme emerged: progress depends on connecting those who define the problem with those building and testing solutions.
Key insights:
• Trust is the gating factor – Move too slow, you lose trust. Deliver something that doesn’t work, you lose trust. Speed depends on building confidence across operators, industry and government.
• JIFX reduces friction – By bringing operators, students, faculty and industry together in an operational environment, JIFX enables faster testing, feedback and iteration.
• Iteration beats perfection – Getting capability in front of users early and refining it quickly moves solutions forward faster than waiting for a finished product.
• Warfighter-defined problems matter – Operationally experienced students and direct operator input help ensure the right problems are being solved from the start.
Artemis II Makes History
The successful Artemis II mission marks a major step forward in returning humans to deep space, completing a historic lunar flyby and safe return with support from joint NASA and U.S. Navy recovery operations. The mission was led by Naval Postgraduate School alumni Reid Wiseman, Certificate of Space Systems ’08, with pilot Victor Glover, MS in Systems Engineering ’09, highlighting how advanced education and operational experience come together in complex missions.
Read more in the articles below:
NASA Shares SpaceX Crew-13 Assignments for Space Station Mission
As part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 mission, four crew members from three space agencies will launch to the International Space Station for a long-duration science expedition. Among them is Luke Delaney, MS in Aerospace Engineering ’16, who will serve as pilot on his first spaceflight—bringing experience as a naval aviator and test pilot into a mission advancing research that supports future exploration to the Moon and Mars while benefiting people on Earth. Learn more.
Anduril Wins Naval Postgraduate School Tactical Missile Innovation Prize Challenge
Recent efforts at NPS continue to demonstrate the value of connecting graduate research, industry, and naval stakeholders to address current operational needs. In collaboration with the Office of Naval Research, the Tactical Missile Innovation Prize Challenge called for novel development methodologies and executable plans to support future missile concepts, with an emphasis on affordability, adaptability, and operational relevance
The effort brought together more than 40 organizations across industry and academia and advanced through a competitive evaluation process focused on the strength, credibility, and feasibility of each approach. This work reflects a continued emphasis on accelerating capability development and expanding collaboration pathways, including:
Asymmetric Advantage — NPS Innovators Develop Low-Cost Counter-Drone Technology
A low-cost, drone-mounted cyber device developed at the Naval Postgraduate School is changing the narrative around drone defense — and it's headed for the battlefield. The Detachable Drone Hijacker, co-invented by Marine Maj. Christian Thiessen and former NPS computer science faculty member Dr. Britta Hale, employs a de-authentication cyber-attack to target the communication and control links of adversarial unmanned aerial systems, offering a more precise alternative to the expensive, ground-based, high-energy jamming systems that have dominated the counter-drone market.
Key highlights include:
After more than 23 years at NPS and more than half a century in computer science, Dr. Peter Denning retired from federal service, closing a career that helped shape how computers work, how networks connect, and how future leaders learn. His work positioned NPS to lead in areas such as artificial intelligence while advancing mission-aligned education and research. Learn more.
International Partnerships Strengthened Through Campus Engagement and Student Achievement at NPS
With more than 200 international students representing over 40 allied and partner nations, NPS international programs serve as a strategic enabler of U.S. Navy efforts to build partner capacity and strengthen global maritime operations. Recent visits from senior leaders from Mongolia and Nepal highlighted the impact of these programs and celebrated the achievements of their officers studying at NPS. Learn more.
NPS Recognizes Faculty and Staff During Length of Service Awards Ceremony
The NPS community celebrated faculty and staff during a Length of Service Awards ceremony in Herrmann Hall, recognizing milestones from five to 45 years of federal service. The program highlights the dedication, professionalism, and continued contributions of the workforce supporting the NPS mission. Learn more.
Virtuix Expands Military Presence With U.S. Navy Research Agreement
Virtuix has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the U.S. Navy’s Naval Postgraduate School to evaluate its Omni One system for military training and simulation. The collaboration will support research at the MOVES Institute, assessing immersive, AI-generated environments for mission rehearsal and training applications.
The Need for Speed — Senior DOW Acquisition Leaders to Keynote NPS Symposium
The Naval Postgraduate School will host two of the Department of War’s top acquisition leaders for its 23rd Annual Acquisition Research Symposium & Innovation Summit, focused on accelerating warfighting capabilities and delivering capability to the warfighter faster through research that informs policy and modernization priorities. Learn more.
NPS Alumni Lead the Conversation on Accelerating Warfighting Capabilities
At this year’s symposium, NPS alumni are driving the discussion on how to move faster from research to real-world capability, bringing operator insight directly into acquisition and innovation efforts. Their leadership underscores how NPS continues to shape decision-makers who are closing the gap between emerging technology and mission impact. Learn more.
Aerospace Advances Space Maneuverability with Restartable Rocket Motor
A new restartable propulsion technology is redefining how spacecraft maneuver in an increasingly crowded orbital environment, enabling rapid, precise adjustments in real time. Developed in collaboration with the Naval Postgraduate School, this innovation highlights NPS’s role in advancing next-generation space capabilities that improve mission flexibility, safety, and long-term sustainability. Learn more.
Naval Postgraduate School students, alumni, faculty and staff are actively engaged in impactful discussions across a spectrum of critical topics, reflecting the expertise of the individuals and the institution's contributions to addressing defense and national security challenges.
The Real War for Iran’s Future
By Dr. Afshon Ostovar, Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Research, National Security Affairs Dept
Prepare the Marine Corps for a Protracted War
By Lt Col Brian Kerg, Certificate in Human Systems Integration '21
IBCS And The Future Of Offensive And Defensive Integrated Fires
By Brandon M. Williams, MS in Program Management '19
Russia’s Irregular Maritime Statecraft in the Baltic Sea
By Joe Durigan, MA in Strategic Studies '25, and Craig Whiteside, Professor of National Security Affairs at the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) Resident Program
The Iran Reckoning: "Listeners’ Questions About The Potential for Regime Collapse" [Podcast – members only]
Hosted by Dr. Afshon Ostovar, Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Research, National Security Affairs Dept
FUZE: The Army’s New Venture Capital Model
By Maj. Joseph Aumendo, MS in systems engineering management ‘26
What the War Against Iran Means for the U.S.-South Korean Alliance
By Jihoon Yu, MA in National Security Affairs ’07
When the grid goes down: an internship perspective
Featuring Pietro Bosoni, ORISE Intern at NPS
Trident Room Podcast Ep. 78 – Inspiring the Next Generation, Part 1
Featuring Dr. Jennifer Carson, NPS STEM Director
Trident Room Podcast Ep. 79 – Inspiring the Next Generation, Part 2
Featuring Dr. Jennifer Carson, NPS STEM Director
Listeners’ Questions About the Strait of Hormuz, How to End the War, and Hope for the Future
By Dr. Afshon Ostovar, Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Research, National Security Affairs Dept
How a Cease-Fire Can Lead to Disaster
By Samuel Helfont, Associate Professor of Strategy and Policy in the Naval War College program at NPS
Raising Children In An Age of Conflict
By Daniel O'Connor, MS in Homeland Security ‘13
How an Illicit Global System Is Fueling a Youth Crisis
By Ray Gudetti, MA Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense) ‘06
Lt. Gen. Dhiraj Seth, International Defense Acquisition Management Course, has taken charge as Vice Chief of the Army Staff following his tenure leading India’s Southern Command. He previously served as general officer commanding-in-chief of the Southern Command and held multiple senior command and staff appointments across operational and strategic roles. Learn more.
Adm. Frank M. Bradley, MS in Physics ‘05, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, received the Naval War College’s 2026 Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award, which recognizes alumni who have achieved prominent senior leadership roles in national security. He has commanded at all levels of special operations and led joint task forces, including early deployments to Afghanistan. Learn more.
Jeffrey N. Williams, MS in Aeronautical Engineering '87, was named Doctor Honoris Causa by the Technical University of Moldova in recognition of his contributions to space exploration and engineering. A NASA astronaut and former commander of International Space Station expeditions, Williams has logged 534 days in space and played a key role in advancing critical space systems and international collaboration. Learn more.
Retired Brig. Gen. Michael C.H. McDaniel, MA in Security Studies (Homeland Security) '07, and Donalyn Dela Cruz, MA in National Security Policy Studies '17, were recognized with the Center for Homeland Defense and Security’s 2026 Alumni Service Awards for their contributions to homeland security education and public service. Both were honored for applying CHDS education to strengthen institutional capacity, community resilience, and leadership across the homeland security enterprise. Learn more.
Michael Cartier, PhD in National Security Affairs ’27, was recognized as a Director’s Award recipient in the Hoover Institution Summer Policy Boot Camp essay competition for his research on voluntary national service. His paper outlines policy measures to encourage participation by linking service opportunities to student loan forgiveness, paid college tuition, and other incentives. Learn more.
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