NASA faces backlash after revealing four astronauts set to fly to the moon on Artemis III mission

NASA has selected four astronauts for a mission that will bring humans one step closer to returning to the moon.

The space agency introduced the Artemis III crew at a press conference on Tuesday. The mission, planned 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.

However, this statement quickly sparked criticism on social media, with users pointing out that none of the astronauts selected for the historic mission were women.

NASA astronauts Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio and Andrew Douglas will join European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Luca Parmitano on the team that will fly around the moon next year.

The announcement sparked outrage on X, with many users seeing the women’s absence as a ‘real shame’.

One user shared: ‘Even a single woman flying on Artemis III isn’t a crazy choice.’

“What a coup for those inspired by Christina on Artemis II,” said another, referring to Christina Koch, who became the first woman to fly to the moon when she and three men glided on the dark side of the lunar surface earlier this year.

While the announcement is disappointing, it brings Americans one step closer to returning to the moon in 2028.

NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said: ‘To the Artemis III crew, we wish you well on the journey ahead.’

The Artemis III mission is expected to last approximately two weeks; That’s roughly four days longer than the Artemis II mission around the moon earlier this year.

This is the final test mission of the Artemis program, and if successful, NASA plans to land a crew on the moon with Artemis IV.

Intended as a moment of celebration, the event quickly sparked criticism, with many pointing out that no women had been chosen for the post.

User One ‘You at NASA have seen a lot of people excited about Christina going to the moon because it means a lot to people to have a woman do inspiring and cool things.’

Another shared: ‘Artemis II was so important to Christina being a talented woman who showed others that we could do anything we set our minds to. ‘I’m disappointed, NASA.’

But four people preparing to launch next year expressed their happiness at being chosen for the historic mission.

‘We are absolutely proud as a crew to be able to be your crew conducting this Artemis III mission in space,’ said Artemis III commander Bresnik.

Many critics pointed out that Artemis II’s Christina Koch showed that women were more than capable of going on such missions.

The Artemis III mission is expected to last approximately two weeks; That’s roughly four days longer than the Artemis II mission around the moon earlier this year.

Mission specialist Douglas added: ‘My brain… is going a mile a minute right now. But my heart is so warm. It’s so full.’

NASA’s Artemis III mission will enable the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket to launch the Orion spacecraft and its crew into low Earth orbit from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Once there, Orion will conduct a series of never-before-attempted tests, including rendezvous and docking maneuvers with experimental lunar landers developed by Blue Origin and SpaceX.

The mission will unfold as a carefully choreographed sequence involving multiple launches of some of the world’s most powerful rockets. NASA will test how Orion interacts with commercial landers, including communications, software, propulsion systems and docking interfaces.

Blue Origin’s lander will launch first and remain in orbit to wait for the crew. Orion will then transport the astronauts into space, where they will meet and dock with the vehicle for approximately two days of testing and technology demonstrations, including entering the lander.

After separating from Blue Origin’s spacecraft, Orion will remain in orbit until SpaceX launches its Starship pathfinder.

The two vehicles will then dock for approximately a day of additional evaluations before Orion begins its journey home.

The mission will end with the crew landing in the Pacific Ocean, where they will be rescued by NASA and US Navy teams.