NASA has been faced increasing backlash over its decision last week to replace a woman slated to be the first Black crew member on the International Space Station. Since it was announced on Thursday, January 18, that astronaut Jeanette Epps would not be taking to space on the upcoming June expedition, many in public have been calling the decision racist.
Epps - who joined NASA and completed her training in the agency after serving in the CIA for seven years - was suddenly taken off of the mission and replaced by a peer in her class by the name of Serena Auñón-Chancellor. While Auñón-Chancellor will be making history in her own right, as the first person of Hispanic descent to assume a spot in the ISS, Epps apparently isn't completely clear on why she was demoted in her classmate's favor.
Epps has been with NASA since 2009, and before working in intelligence, the Syracuse native completed her education as a 2000 graduate of the University of Maryland’s aerospace engineering doctorate program. According to reports, Epps has no history of health issues, and thus there is no indication that the decision was one influenced by a medical doctor.
“My sister Dr. Jeanette 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," Epps' brother, Henry, would go on Facebook and write upon hearing the news. In addition, Henry shared a MoveOn.org petition to help garner support in protest of NASA.
Although 14 African-American astronauts have been in space throughout recorded history, none ever lived in the International Space Station, as Epps would be prepared to for a time.
