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.
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:
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.
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
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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