What is going on at NASA?

What is going on at NASA?

Several NASA history pages were either edited or taken down to comply with the new policy. For example, an article about the 1978 astronaut class, which included Sally Ride (the first American woman in space), Guion Bluford (the first Black American astronaut), and Ellison Onizuka (the first Asian American astronaut), was altered to remove references to their groundbreaking roles. Additionally, NASA’s Diversity and Equal Opportunity Office (ODEO) webpage, which documented key milestones in diversity and inclusion, was taken offline, removing a crucial source of historical acknowledgment. Do we no longer care about inspiring women in STEM? Is that part of America’s story over?

While NASA is not deleting individuals from history, the removal of context, such as eliminating phrases like “first woman to do X,” effectively erases recognition of historical struggles and achievements. By stripping out specific acknowledgments of gender and minority breakthroughs, the historical record is being sanitized, making it seem as though these accomplishments happened without societal barriers. Altering our perception of the past alters our understanding of reality. Why would we do that? This revisionism distorts history, making it harder for researchers, students, and the public to grasp the significance of these milestones and the challenges overcome to achieve them.

The long-term impact of these changes is significant. Future generations looking at NASA’s history through official records will see fewer references to the struggles and breakthroughs of women and underrepresented groups, creating a misleading perception that diversity in STEM was never an issue. This can contribute to a false narrative that such representation happened naturally, rather than through deliberate efforts and historic milestones. While the individuals remain part of history, the active removal of their context reshapes how that history is understood and remembered.

This isn’t just about merit. It is about ensuring equal access to opportunities. That is where NASA’s Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity (ODEO) played a role. There is no clear evidence that ODEO led to the hiring of less qualified individuals. The office primarily ensured compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws, prevented discrimination, and expanded access to opportunities for qualified individuals, particularly in STEM fields where women and minorities have been historically underrepresented. It facilitated outreach programs, managed discrimination complaints, and supported educational partnerships, but it did not override NASA’s rigorous hiring standards, which have always required highly specialized expertise. While some critics argue that diversity initiatives prioritize identity over merit, NASA’s recruitment processes still focused on technical qualifications, advanced degrees, and experience. In 2025, under the Trump administration’s executive order eliminating DEIA programs, ODEO was officially disbanded, and its website was taken offline as part of a broader rollback of diversity focused policies across federal agencies. Without dedicated oversight, efforts to prevent discrimination and ensure equal opportunities in NASA’s hiring and workplace culture may be significantly weakened.