NASA Administrator Defends Merit-Based Artemis III Crew Selection, Rejects Political Influence
Jared Isaacman said the Astronaut Office chose the crew based on expertise and mission needs. The decision drew criticism over NASA’s prior commitment to include a woman and a person of colour on the lunar surface.
nasa.govNASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on Wednesday defended the selection of an all-male crew for the Artemis III mission. Isaacman posted a lengthy statement on social media stating that the crew selection does not involve any political appointees. He added that the Astronaut Office assigns the crew that gives the mission the best chance of meeting its objectives, taking into account many factors, including the background and expertise of the astronauts, such as test pilot experience, development work on specific programmes, and availability.
The third phase of Artemis will involve testing the Orion spacecraft and conducting rendezvous and docking tests with lunar landers. It will not include a moon voyage. NASA had previously committed to put both a woman and a person of colour on the lunar surface.
The nominations have earned criticism that NASA may have acted in accordance with President Donald Trump’s direction to eliminate diversity and inclusion efforts.
