NASA Removes Diversity Language from Artemis III Mission

NASA has removed language from its Artemis program that previously committed to landing the first woman and first person of color on the Moon, in alignment with an executive order from President Trump aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies across federal agencies. This shift marks a significant change in NASA's approach to inclusion, particularly as the Artemis program seeks to return humans to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972. A NASA spokesperson stated that the language update reflects the core mission of returning astronauts to the Moon and does not imply changes to crew assignments. The decision follows the cancellation of DEI initiatives, which reportedly cost the agency over $22 million annually. Critics have noted that this move could hinder the progress made in diversifying NASA's workforce and representation in space exploration. The Artemis program, initiated under the Trump administration, had previously highlighted commitments to increased representation among its astronaut teams.