NASA draws criticism for all-male Artemis III crew selection

NASA announced the prime crew for the Artemis III lunar mission—Commander Randy Bresnik, specialists Frank Rubio and Andre Douglas, and ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano—without any women. The all‑male roster triggered disappointment and outrage, with critics noting the mission's namesake, the goddess Artemis, and the agency’s earlier promises to put the first woman on the Moon. About 40 % of NASA’s active astronaut corps are women, many of whom are currently training for ISS stays or future Artemis flights.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman defended the lineup, stating the Astronaut Office chose the four astronauts “based on mission requirements, experience and technical expertise,” and added, “I have seen reactions ranging from disappointment to outrage.” Space communicators such as Emily Calandrelli suggested that implicit bias may have influenced the decision, though NASA maintained the process was apolitical. Backup astronaut Bob Hines was also named.