[ad_1]
The James Webb Space Telescope, despite being at the beginning of its operational life (which could last up to 20 years, or even more in the case of maintenance/update missions), has already shown its potential with the images captured during these first months . Among the latest we remember the protostar L1527, the dwarf galaxy of Wolf-Lundmark-Melotte oi “pillars of creation” in the Eagle Nebula and the gravitational lensing of MACS0647-JD.
However, there was a point that still caused discussion, but it was not a (directly) scientific issue but rather related to NASA history. The focal point was the choice of naming this scientific instrument “James Webb” to pay homage to an important figure in the US space agency but who could have had some involvement in the lavender scare. Several associations had urged the agency (also through a petition with collection of signatures) a rename the space telescope. NASA had taken the matter seriously and therefore had a historian write a report.
The James Webb Space Telescope will not be renamed
In a post on official blog of the NASA one can read that the agency promotes values LGBTQI+ and it is a key part and a priority for the agency. For this reason, having named such an important instrument as a tribute to a potentially controversial figure required a certain and clear answer.
The results of what was found by historian Brian C. Odom they have been enclosed in a relationship of 89 pages where various situations dating back to periods between 1949 and 1952 and from 1961 to 1968 are analysed, this because James Webb he was first at the head of the State Department and later as administrator of the NASA (until shortly before the first moon landing). In those years employees from the agency were dismissed because LGBTQI+ culminated in lavender scare. Was Webb then a boss who had discriminated against people based on their sexual orientation? According to the report, no.
In the conclusions you can read how “to date, no available evidence directly links Webb to any action related to the firing of individuals for their sexual orientation”. Bill Nelson (current NASA Administrator) said “For decades, discrimination against LGBTQI+ federal employees has not simply been tolerated, it has been shamefully promoted by federal policies. The Lavender Scare that took place after WWII is a painful part of American history and the fight for LGBTQI+ rights”.
Documents from various archives such as those of the Marshall Space Flight Center, the National Archives and Records Administration, College Park and the Truman Presidential Library were studied to prepare the report. In addition, historical documentation and opinions of other contemporary historians were searched. In all of this James Webb, in the period of the lavender scare, would have tried to limit Congress’s access to State Department personnel data but there is no evidence of a link to layoffs or other abuses. When James Webb was head of NASA there was also the dismissal of Clifford Norton (employee of the agency) as a homosexual. According to Odom (page 34) there is no evidence that Webb was aware of Norton’s firing as it was a practice considered “normal” at that time (and therefore did not have a particular relevance).
More generally “based on available evidence, the agency does not plan to change the name of the James Webb Space Telescope”. This report and more generally the study of that period will in any case be useful for reconstructing what happened and will help guide the NASA to promote full equality for LGBTQI+ people and equal opportunities.
However, the figure of is highlighted in the report John Peurifoy that he was effectively a senior executive who was entrusted by the State Department with the supervision of the Personnel Security Board (which was aimed at finding and removing Communists and LGBTQI+ within the staff).
 Continuous updates in our article on the best offers of Black Friday Week Amazon! New offers every day up to 50% real! See them all. |
Gift ideas, why waste time and risk making a mistake?
GIVE AN AMAZON COUPON!
.
[ad_2]
Source link
