In thisSept 16, 2014 picture supplied by NASA, astronaut Jeanette Epps takes part in a spacewalk training session at the Johnson Space Center inHouston In June 2018, Epps was expected to be the very first African-American to reside on the International Space Station, however on Thursday,Jan 18, 2018, NASA revealed it was pulling her off the mission for concealed factors. (RobertMarkowitz/NASA through AP)
The brother of NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps, who was arranged to be the very first African-American team member on the International Space Station (ISS), claims racism is the factor his sibling was pulled from the mission.
“My sister Dr. Jeannette Epps has been fighting against oppressive racism and misogynist in NASA and now they are holding her back and allowing a Caucasian Astronaut to take her place!”Henry Epps composed in a Facebook post Saturday, inning accordance with TheWashingtonPost In addition, he connected to a MoveOn.org petition asking NASA to restore his sibling.
Epps’ Facebook post has actually because been eliminated.
ASTRONAUT SET TO BE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN ON SPACEPORT STATION TEAM ELIMINATED FROM FLIGHT
NASA has actually not reacted to an ask for remark from Fox News why Epps was eliminated from the flight, arranged forJune The federal government firm did supply a declaration to The Post, nevertheless, stating: “Diversity and inclusion are integral to mission success at NASA and we have a diverse astronaut corps reflective of that approach.”
In an e-mail to The Post, Epps stated she was not going to talk about her brother’s social networks remarks, nor did she understand why she was bumped from the flight. She likewise kept in mind that neither she, nor anybody in her household, developed the MoveOn.org petition.
It’s not unusual for team modifications to be made on space flights, even ones that come at the eleventh hour. Ken Mattingly was pulled from Apollo 13 and changed by Jack Swigert due to the fact that of direct exposure to German measles, though he never ever contracted the illness. Mattingly ultimately flew to the Moon on Apollo 16, making him one of just 24 individuals to go on lunar objectives.
Epps will be thought about for future space objectives, inning accordance withNASA She’s been changed by her backup, Serena Aunon-Chancellor
Epps is going back to Houston from Russia, where she had actually been training to fly to the space station with a German andRussian NASA spokesperson Brandi Dean stated Friday it was a choice by NASA, not the Russian Space Agency.
FourteenAfrican-American astronauts have actually flown into space in overall, with some of them having actually checked out the ISS. Epps, nevertheless, would have been the very first to live there.
Chosen as part of NASA’s 20 th astronaut class in 2009, Epps has aPh D. in aerospace engineering and utilized to work for the CIA.
Au ñón-Chancellor, who was likewise part of the very same class as Epps, will be the very first Hispanic female to reside on the ISS.
TheAssociated Press added to this report. Follow Chris Ciaccia on Twitter @Chris_Ciaccia This story has actually been upgraded to show Mattingly never ever set foot on the Moon, however did go on a lunar mission.
