NASA Directed to Eliminate References to 'Female Leadership' from Its Online Platforms: Allegation
NASA is shifting gears to align with President Donald Trump's stance on diversity and inclusion within federal agencies. As per a January 22 memo, the space agency is directed to eliminate specific terms from its websites, including mentions of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, underrepresented groups, and anything related to women's leadership, among others.
The memo, dubbed a "drop everything and reprioritize your day" request, has stirred a wave of changes at NASA. Upon Trump's executive order to dismantle DEI offices in the federal sector, NASA promptly halted its diversity programs and scrapped related contracts.
The US space agency, previously recognized as a stellar employer for diversity in 2023, boasts a workforce comprising approximately 35% women and 30% minorities. However, reports suggest that the agency had yet to see significant improvements in workplace inclusion.
NASA's websites are undergoing a drastic transformation, with caution thrown to the wind in omitting milestones from the space agency's history. For instance, a 2023 article showcasing NASA's 1978 astronaut class, the first to include a female, black, and Asian-American astronauts, was promptly removed from the agency's website on January 29.
Furthermore, NASA has put a hold on the work of several astrophysics and planetary science committees as it navigates the murky waters of these obsolete DEI programs. This restructuring of priorities has left some comments questioning the impact on NASA's operations and employee morale.
According to reports, key actions taken by NASA include:
- Closure of DEI offices and programs
- Removal of DEI references from the agency's public communications
- Elimination of the requirement for "inclusion plans" in grant applications
- Placing DEI staff on administrative leave and laying off employees
- Encouraging reports of DEI program renamings, with consequences for non-compliance
The sweeping changes at NASA under Trump's policies have raised safety concerns, particularly due to potential layoffs and resignations that could impact the high-risk nature of NASA missions, such as those to the International Space Station and Mars.
NASA's future space missions might benefit from advancements in technology, as the agency focuses on its core objectives following the restructuring of its DEI programs. Despite the changes, the importance of science in space exploration remains a constant, with diversity and inclusion continuing to be valued in the broader scientific community.
