NASA defends all-male Artemis III crew after criticism over lack of women

Thursday, June 11, 2026Science & ClimateWell-covered3 frames

NASA announced a four-person Artemis III crew made up of Randy Bresnik, Andre Douglas, Frank Rubio and ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano.
The Artemis III crew announced by NASA is entirely male, and the absence of a woman on the mission drew criticism and disappointment from some observers.
NASA administrator Jared Isaacman publicly defended the crew selection after the criticism.
Isaacman said the crew was selected using multiple criteria tied to mission success, including astronaut experience and qualifications rather than political considerations.
Isaacman said he had seen reactions ranging from disappointment to outrage and urged the public to celebrate the selected astronauts and respect the integrity of the selection process.
Artemis III is part of NASA's broader Artemis campaign to return humans to the Moon and prepare for future lunar operations.
Multiple reports say Artemis III is planned as a preparatory mission focused on testing lunar-landing-related systems rather than carrying out the final return of humans to the lunar surface.

How left and right are reading this

Both agree: Crew selection for a high-profile Artemis mission carries real public meaning, even as NASA says the decision was made on mission-success criteria like experience and qualifications rather than political considerations.
They split on: Whether the story is about inclusion in a flagship public mission, or about protecting a qualifications-based selection process for a preparatory flight focused on testing lunar-landing-related systems.

NASA announced a four-person Artemis III crew made up of Randy Bresnik, Andre Douglas, Frank Rubio and ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano.
The Artemis III crew announced by NASA is entirely male, and the absence of a woman on the mission drew criticism and disappointment from some observers.
NASA administrator Jared Isaacman publicly defended the crew selection after the criticism.
Isaacman said the crew was selected using multiple criteria tied to mission success, including astronaut experience and qualifications rather than political considerations.
Isaacman said he had seen reactions ranging from disappointment to outrage and urged the public to celebrate the selected astronauts and respect the integrity of the selection process.
Artemis III is part of NASA's broader Artemis campaign to return humans to the Moon and prepare for future lunar operations.
Multiple reports say Artemis III is planned as a preparatory mission focused on testing lunar-landing-related systems rather than carrying out the final return of humans to the lunar surface.

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