Post

The Artemis III Crew, from left to right: - Randy Bresnik, commander - Luca Parmitano, pilot (ESA) - Frank Rubio, mission specialist - Andre Douglas, mission specialist

9/6/26, 4:14 pm51 reposts199 likes

Paul Byrne

@theplanetaryguy.com

9 June

I am excited to see this mission fly! And to see these folks do some cool flight testing and science! And it's awesome to see the diversity of ethnic backgrounds in the crew! But it's really disappointing that it's four dudes.

Paul Byrne

@theplanetaryguy.com

9 June

Their official portrait (courtesy NASA):

Maria. Bee Kind 😇

@saveusfromfascism.bsky.social

9 June

True, that was my first thought.

Shannon Stirone

@shannonstirone.bsky.social

9 June

We have wonderful women astronauts why is this all men

Paul Byrne

@theplanetaryguy.com

9 June

I have NO idea, Shannon. And I don't expect we'll (ever) get insight into why this particular assemblage from the corps for this crew.

Shannon Stirone

@shannonstirone.bsky.social

9 June

I think it’s intentional which is unfortunate. There’s really no excuse not to have at least one woman involved at this stage (2026)

Chelsea Whyte

@chelswhyte.bsky.social

9 June

Ah okay then, so Artemis IV should be all women

Paul Byrne

@theplanetaryguy.com

9 June

That would be AWESOME

Chelsea Whyte

@chelswhyte.bsky.social

9 June

I agree!!

Stan Hoight

@stanhoight.bsky.social

9 June

A seemingly retrogressive, even tone deaf crew selection makes a lot more sense if they’re clearing the path for Artemis IV to be crewed entirely or mostly by women. I had actually wondered how they’d navigate that and I really think (as well as hope) this announcement makes it more likely.