NASA's decision to remove astronaut Jeanette Epps, who would have been the first black crew member to stay aboard the International Space Station, prompted criticism and accusations of racism and misogyny, The Washington Post reports.
In its press release, NASA announced Epps, a 46-year-old former CIA agent, would not be taking part in a mission that would have entailed a several-month stay on the ISS.
"A number of factors are considered when making flight assignments; these decisions are personnel matters, for which NASA doesn't provide information," NASA public affairs officer Brandi Dean told AFP on Friday. "Epps has returned to the active astronaut corps at Johnson Space Center to assume duties in the astronaut office."
Although NASA did not provide a reason, Epps' brother Henry Epps wrote in a since-removed Facebook post "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!"
NASA announced Thursday astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor will take Epps' place on the upcoming mission.
Epps told the Post in an email she could not comment on her brother's post or the reason behind the crew change, but she did say she completed her training successfully and has no medical conditions that would keep her from fulfilling the mission.
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