NASA alters diversity goals amid Trump's crackdown on DEI
What's the story
NASA has removed the language about landing the first woman and person of color on the Moon from its Artemis program webpage.
This change follows directives from President Donald Trump to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices at federal agencies.
The promise was a major part of NASA's Artemis program, which seeks to return humans to the lunar surface in 2027, since the final Apollo mission in December 1972.
Program details
Artemis program and the removed commitment
The Artemis program was intended to explore more of the Moon's surface than ever before with the help of innovative technologies.
The promise to land the first woman and person of color on the Moon was prominently displayed on NASA's Artemis landing page until recently.
However, the statement has now been removed from the live version of this page, first reported by Orlando Sentinel.
Official statement
NASA's response to the directive
In light of the directive, NASA spokesperson Allard Beutel released a statement to The Guardian.
He said, "In keeping with the president's executive order, we're updating our language regarding plans to send crew to the lunar surface as part of NASA's Artemis campaign."
Beutel also expressed eagerness "to learn more from [and] about the Trump administration's plans for our agency and expanding exploration at the Moon and Mars for the benefit of all."
DEI removal
Other federal agencies follow suit
NASA's decision comes in line with similar moves by other federal agencies after Trump's second-term inauguration on January 20.
The Internal Revenue Service and National Institutes of Health have also scrubbed references to DEI programs and initiatives.
The US military enforced a presidential order banning transgender individuals from service, although the measure was temporarily blocked by a federal judge on Wednesday.
Diversity initiatives
Artemis program's inception and diversity efforts
Interestingly, the Artemis program was launched during Trump's first term in 2019. This included plans to land the first woman and person of color on the Moon.
Over the past few years, NASA has taken great strides toward becoming more diverse, shedding its old image of being largely comprised of older white men.
Mission details
Upcoming Artemis missions and crew composition
The crew for Artemis III, which will land on the lunar surface in mid-2027, is yet to be announced.
However, it is notable that the upcoming Artemis II mission will take humans to the Moon and back without landing.
This mission's crew includes one female astronaut, Christina Koch, and an African American astronaut, Victor Glover.
The other two members are US astronaut Reid Wiseman and Canadian Jeremy Hansen.