NASA’s Artemis program plans to land its first person of color on the moon, under a new initiative led by the Biden-Harris administration that is also seeking to land the first woman by 2024.
On Friday, the government presented President Joe Biden’s discretionary spending priorities for 2022 to Congress.
The government is calling for $ 24.7 billion in funding, up 6.3 percent from the previous year, according to the NASA report.
“ This $ 24.7 billion funding request shows the commitment of the Biden administration to NASA and its partners who have worked so hard over the past year under difficult circumstances and achieved unprecedented success, ” acting NASA administrator Steve Jurczyk said in a press release .
The president’s discretionary plea increases NASA’s ability to better understand Earth and further monitor and predict the impacts of climate change. It also gives us the necessary resources to continue advancing America’s dual Moon-to-Mars space exploration plan, including landing the first woman and first person of color on the moon under the Artemis program. ‘
The Artemis program hopes to have a person of color and the first woman on the moon by 2024
Kate Rubins and Warren Hoburg in the picture
Astronauts in the program were first announced in December, but the first two crew members for Artemis III in 2024 have not yet been announced, CNN reports. The 18-person group represents veterans and new astronauts from different backgrounds.
Those astronauts include: Joseph Acaba, Kayla Barron, Raja Chari, Matthew Dominick, Victor Glover Jr., Warren ‘Woody’ Hoburg, Jonny Kim, Christina Koch, Kjell Lindgren, Nicole Mann, Anne McClain, Jessica Meir, Jasmin Moghbeli, Kate Rubins, Frank Rubio, Scott Tingle, Jessica Watkins, and Stephanie Wilson.
While it is unclear who the astronauts will be, the prospect of a potential astronaut of color on the moon shows that “these are historic moments in promoting equality for all humanity,” said Bhavya Lal, NASA acting chief of staff.
While it is unclear who the astronauts will be, the prospect of a potential astronaut of color on the moon shows that “these are historic moments in promoting equality for all humanity,” said Bhavya Lal, NASA acting chief of staff.
“Women and people of color represent a significant portion of all facets of NASA’s workforce, and the last two astronaut classes selected comprise the highest percentage of women in history,” added Lal.
Fifty percent of the 2013 National class was female and 45 percent of the 2017 class. And today, African-American, Asian Pacific Islanders, Hispanic and multiracial astronauts make up about a quarter of NASA’s active astronaut corps. ‘
Lal, who came to the US at the age of 18, said the announcement was personal and very meaningful to her.
“If you can see it, you can believe it,” Lal said. “Much of what NASA does is inspire the next generation, but to be successful in that inspiration, we must remain leaders when it comes to diversity and equality.”
An Artemis I flight without crew is scheduled for November, with an Artemis II flight on the moon scheduled for August 2023.