NASA has removed language from its websites stating that the Artemis 3 lunar mission will land the first person of color and woman on the moon, sparking concerns about potential crew changes for the mission. The agency says the removal does not indicate a change in crew assignments.
In May 2021, NASA stated it would land the first woman, first person of color, and first international partner astronaut on the moon as part of its Artemis program. However, after President Trump signed an executive order aimed at ending diversity and inclusion initiatives, NASA updated its language to focus solely on returning astronauts to the lunar surface.
A NASA spokesperson said the change in language does not mean a change in crew assignments for the mission. The agency remains committed to aligning with White House guidance and ensuring mission success.
The move comes as NASA continues to cancel programs and purge its websites of any language related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts. Other federal agencies, including the Rubin Observatory, have also deleted DEIA-related content from their websites following a similar executive order signed by President Trump.
NASA has reduced its workforce significantly in recent years as part of the Trump administration’s push for cost savings. The agency’s future plans are unclear, but the removal of language from its Artemis program website suggests that changes may be on the horizon.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/nasa-says-removal-first-woman-203427323.html