Nasa said on Thursday that it is “in the process of transitioning to a new direction” under US President Donald Trump, whose move to scrap diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies has raised questions over the space agency's plans to send the first woman and person of colour to the Moon.
The Artemis III mission was heralded as a historic step towards inclusivity in space flight, not just a return to the lunar surface after the Apollo era. However, with the removal of DEI policies, questions are emerging about whether this branding – and even the crew selection – could change.
Under the Biden administration, Nasa placed a strong emphasis on diversity in its astronaut corps, shaping Artemis as a mission that would reflect progress in making space flight more inclusive. However, with a shifting political landscape, the agency now faces uncertainty over how Artemis III, currently targeting a 2027 launch, will move forward.
Crew selection for Artemis III is a complex process, determined by factors such as technical expertise, mission compatibility and teamwork dynamics. While Nasa insists that all astronauts must meet the same high standards regardless of background, the agency had, in recent years, placed an intentional focus on diverse representation in high-profile missions.
Nasa adapting to Trump regime
“We recognise there are dozens of new executive orders in place, and we’re working to adhere to them as quickly as possible, as well as any other new direction from the administration,” Nasa said in a statement issued to The National.
“It wouldn't be appropriate to speculate on any specific changes as we're just beginning to work through these processes and implementation. Nasa’s current Moon to Mars exploration approach calls for using missions on and around the Moon under the Artemis campaign to prepare for future human missions to Mars.
“We’re looking forward to hearing more about the Trump Administration's plans for our agency and expanding exploration for the benefit of all, including sending American astronauts on the first human mission to the Red Planet.”
Embracing diversity
Regardless of DEI policies, diversity has long played a critical role in space missions, as astronauts from different backgrounds bring unique perspectives, problem-solving approaches and skill sets that enhance teamwork, innovation and mission success.
The International Space Station, for example, is the biggest example of how diverse crews from different nationalities and backgrounds successfully collaborate in space, demonstrating the value of varied expertise.
Analogue missions, designed to simulate space conditions on Earth, regularly include diverse participants to better understand how different perspectives and skills contribute to mission success.
Eric Berger, author of Liftoff and Reentry, two books that explore the rise of SpaceX and the development of the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft, said that the “reality was that, right now, we don’t even know whether Artemis III is going to happen as planned”.
“But assuming it moves forward, my sense is that Nasa will still prioritise a diverse crew, even if it no longer explicitly states that. The agency will be looking for ways to differentiate Artemis from Apollo, and including women and ethnic minorities helps emphasise that point,” Mr Berger told The National.
On his first day back in office, Mr Trump issued several executive orders, including one that rolled back DEI policies across federal agencies. In response, Nasa began removing references to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility from its websites and programmes.
Milestone mission
Under Mr Biden, the mission was framed as a giant leap for representation, selecting astronauts who better reflected the demographic make-up of the US.
Historically, the Apollo era, which ran from 1961 to 1972, was marked by a lack of diversity, with all 12 astronauts who walked on the Moon being white men, reflecting the broader systemic barriers that kept women and ethnic minorities from becoming astronauts at the time.
Now, Nasa has the Artemis programme, which aims to return humanity to the Moon, with the goal of launching astronauts to Mars from there.
A historic commitment in question
The agency has already selected 18 astronauts for the Artemis programme, with a crew announcement for Artemis III expected later this year.
“I have always been a big believer in meritocracy,” retired Nasa astronaut Dr Leroy Chiao, who spent 229 days in space across several missions, told The National. “In my life and career, I have experienced personal and some indirect professional discrimination. Thankfully, working in systems based on meritocracy gave me opportunities I might otherwise have missed out on.”
Dr Chiao acknowledged that Nasa’s astronaut selection process had been influenced by DEI policies under Mr Biden. But now, with the federal repeal in place, the effects on future crew assignments remain uncertain.
“I don’t know how the policies will be rolled out,” Dr Chiao said. “I think it could affect future crew assignments but bear in mind that many factors go into the formation of a crew that will be cohesive and work well together.”
Will Nasa continue prioritising diversity?
Mr Berger believes Nasa has incentives to maintain diversity efforts, even if it no longer publicly promotes them.
“If you look at the crews that Jared Isaacman took to space on Polaris Dawn and Inspiration4, he definitely wanted to make sure there was a good mix,” he said. “With that said, this is such a tumultuous time in US policy across the board, it would be foolish to speak in absolutes.”
Mr Isaacman, a billionaire and chief executive of Shift4, was nominated by Mr Trump as the next Nasa administrator, but he is yet to assume office. Until then, the agency may choose a wait-and-see approach, avoiding public statements on how Artemis III’s branding will evolve.
Diversity in space: a broader perspective
Regardless of what happens with Artemis III, the larger conversation around diversity in space exploration remains critical. Nasa has long acknowledged that greater representation in human space flight is not just a social issue but a practical one – diverse teams bring different perspectives, improve decision-making and inspire future generations to pursue STEM careers.
Dr Chiao said that while meritocracy remains key, access to opportunities has not always been equal. “My children, who are of half-Chinese heritage, were outraged that they could face discrimination in their college applications,” he said, highlighting the complexities of affirmative action and diversity policies beyond just Nasa.
Internationally, Nasa’s partners, such as the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), have committed to promoting greater diversity within their astronaut corps. ESA has already launched a “parastronaut” programme to include individuals with disabilities in human space flight, while CSA continues efforts to expand opportunities for underrepresented groups in space.
