NASA Under Trump’s Pressure Removes Diversity from Artemis III Moon Mission
NASA administration, under the influence of Trump’s new policy, has removed all mentions of plans to land the first woman and first African American on the Moon from the Artemis III mission’s official materials. This decision is part of a large-scale campaign to remove diversity and inclusion principles from federal resources.
Moon Program Transformation Under Political Pressure
The new American administration under Donald Trump has launched a large-scale campaign to remove mentions of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs from federal resources. This time, the changes have affected NASA’s ambitious lunar program – the agency’s official materials have completely removed promises about landing the first woman and first person of color on the Moon, reports Universe Magazine.
British journalist Oliver Morton was the first to notice the editing of NASA’s website, which may be related to the decree on eliminating DEI programs in government institutions. Space agency representatives confirmed to The Guardian the fact of updating the wording in accordance with presidential decisions, noting that NASA remains open to further guidance regarding lunar and Mars programs.
Although the final crew composition of Artemis III has not yet been announced, the removal of DEI mentions calls into question the agency’s previous priorities. Social media users are already comparing the situation to Gil Scott-Heron’s satirical poem ‘Whitey on the Moon,’ which criticized racial inequality during the 1960s space race.
Political changes may affect not only Artemis III but the entire U.S. space program. The Artemis II mission, planned for 2026, currently maintains its international crew composition, including NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen. However, experts express concern about the potential impact of political tensions between the U.S. and Canada on further cooperation.
The nominal launch date for Artemis III remains unchanged – 2027. However, technical problems with Starship development and new political priorities may lead to further program delays, especially if Trump wins the presidential election.
The changes in the presentation of the Artemis III mission reflect broader political transformations in the United States, where the Trump administration’s new course actively influences federal programs. This may have long-term consequences not only for the space industry but for the future of scientific research in general.
