A conservative watchdog group has filed a lawsuit against NASA to obtain documents related to why two U.S. astronauts have been left at the International Space Station for a longer period. The group is seeking emails between NASA political appointees and the White House, including Vice President Harris’ office, as her role as the chair of the National Space Council makes her the lead adviser on space policy. It is suggested that there may have been a political calculation against bringing the astronauts home as planned.
The National Space Council under former President George H.W. Bush was disbanded and reorganized under former President Trump. Trump established the U.S. Space Force in 2018 at an NSpC meeting. The Oversight Project is seeking correspondence from top NASA officials and communications between NASA and officials in Boeing’s commercial crew program, which manufactured the Starliner capsule that took the astronauts to the ISS. The NSpC chair has significant advisory authority over NASA’s decision-making.
NASA officials reported a disagreement with Boeing over the risk level after the Starliner craft had issues with propulsion and elemental leaks. Despite this, the craft safely returned to Earth unmanned in September. Boeing remained confident in Starliner’s ability to return safely with crew aboard. The Oversight Project is concerned about NASA being transformed into a “woke-DEI” government agency under Harris’ leadership as Space Czar.
Astronauts Wilmore and Williams have taken their extended stay in space positively, expressing their love for being in space. Wilmore requested his absentee ballot to vote from orbit, missing his daughter’s final year of high school. The Oversight Project believes it is important for the public to see any political correspondence between NASA, the vice president’s camp, and Boeing, as other nations like China may interpret these as signs of weakness that could jeopardize national security. Harris’ governmental office and campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
A NASA spokesperson stated that Harris and NSpC staff regularly received updates on the Starliner Crewed Flight Test but clarified that the NSpC does not make operational spaceflight safety recommendations or decisions. The Oversight Project argues that Harris’ record as Border Czar and Space Czar is lacking, raising concerns about the focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in NASA’s strategic plan. The group suggests that Harris may be willing to compromise America’s space superiority in an effort to promote democracy. The Associated Press contributed to the report.
