NASA’s Artemis program wants to land its first colored person on the moon, under a new initiative led by the Biden-Harris government, which also wants to land the first woman by 2024.
On Friday, the government presented to Congress the priorities of President Joe Biden for 2022 discretionary spending.
According to the NASA report, the administration is asking $ 24.7 billion in funding, an increase of 6.3 percent over the previous year.
“This $ 24.7 billion funding request demonstrates the commitment of the Biden administration to NASA and its partners, who have worked so hard under difficult circumstances over the past year and achieved unprecedented success,” said acting NASA administrator Steve Jurczyk. a press release.
‘The President’s discretionary request increases NASA’s ability to better understand the Earth and further monitor and predict the effects of climate change. It also gives us the resources to continue advancing America’s dual moon to the Mars reconnaissance plan, including the landing of the first woman and first colored man 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 pictured
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 group of 18 represents veterans and new astronauts with diverse backgrounds.
The 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.
Although it is unclear who the astronauts will be, the prospect of having a potential astronaut on the moon shows that ‘these are historic moments to promote the fairness of all mankind’, said NASA Acting Chief of Staff Bhavya Lal, said.
Although it is unclear who the astronauts will be, the prospect of having a potential astronaut on the moon shows that ‘these are historic moments in promoting equity for all mankind’, said NASA acting chief of staff Bhavya Lal, said
“Women and men of color represent a significant contributing part of all facets of NASA personnel, and the last two selected astronaut classes have included the highest percentage of women in history,” Lal added.
Fifty percent of the 2013 National class were female and 45 percent of the 2017 class. And today, African-American, Asian Pacific, Spanish and multiracial astronauts make up about a quarter of NASA’s active astronaut corps. ‘
Lal, who came to the United States 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. “So much of what NASA does is inspire the next generation, but to be successful in inspiration, we still need to be leaders in diversity and equity.”
An unmanned Artemis I flight is scheduled for November, with an Artemis II crew of the moon scheduled for August 2023.