NASA has named the four astronauts selected for a mission that will bring humans one step closer to returning to the moon.
The space agency unveiled the Artemis III crew during a press conference on Tuesday. The mission, scheduled for 2027, will test rendezvous and docking operations between the Orion spacecraft and commercial human landers in low-Earth orbit as part of preparations for future lunar exploration.
But the reveal quickly drew criticism on social media, where users pointed out that none of the astronauts selected for the historic mission are women.
NASA astronauts Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio and Andrew Douglas will joinEuropean Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Luca Parmitano on the crew set to fly around the moon next year.
The announcement sparked outrage on X, where many users deemed the lack of women was a ‘real shame.’
One user posted: ‘Not a single woman flying on Artemis III is an insane choice.’
‘What a huge blow to those who were inspired by Christina on Artemis II,’ another shared, referring to Christina Koch, who was the first woman to fly to the moon earlier this year when she and three men soared around the dark side of the lunar surface.
While the announcement has sparked frustration, it takes Americans one step closer to returning to the moon in 2028.
NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said: ‘To the Artemis III crew, we wish you Godspeed on the journey ahead.’
The Artemis III mission is expected to last about two weeks, roughly four days longer than the Artemis II mission around the moon earlier this year.
This is the Artemis program’s final testing mission, and if it’s successful, NASA then plans to land a crew on the moon with Artemis IV.
‘We are certainly humbled as a crew to be able to be your crew that executes this Artemis III mission in space,’ said Bresnik, Artemis III commander.
Added Douglas, mission specialist: ‘My brain… it is going a mile a minute right now. But my heart, it is so warm. It is so full.’
