NASA has been a champion of diversity and inclusion for decades, even during the first Trump administration. Since 1978, every new class of astronauts has included women and often reflected a wide range of races and ethnicities. This isn’t by accident—it’s a deliberate effort to ensure the astronaut corps mirrors society.

The most recent group of astronauts, NASA Astronaut Group 23, started training in January 2022. Over 12,000 people applied for that round, and the agency is now sifting through 8,000 applicants for the next class. However, this long-standing tradition of diversity in hiring might face a roadblock under President Trump’s latest executive order.

On January 22, 2025, Trump signed an order stating that federal hiring must not consider diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) factors. This move directly challenges NASA’s approach to selecting astronauts, which has historically included race and gender as part of the process.

Duane Ross, who managed NASA’s astronaut selection for nearly four decades, explained that the agency has always aimed for a diverse and highly qualified team. “You didn’t lose sight of wanting your astronaut corps to be reflective of society,” he said.

NASA has typically enjoyed bipartisan support, but this new clash could test its ability to maintain its inclusive practices. As the agency continues selecting its next group of astronauts, it remains to be seen how Trump’s order will impact its mission to represent all of humanity in space.