MOON 13 (IMAO News Service) — Gizomonic Institute apologized this week after pictures of former employee Joel Robinson surfaced showing the company’s first astronaut flashing a white power sign. “We deeply regret that our first astronaut and former face of Gizmonic Institute would have committed such an atrocity. It’s not who we are,” said Kinga Forrester, who oversees the company’s lunar facility.

Former astronaut Joel Robinson was videotaped flashing a white supremacist sign.

Tapes of the infamous actions have actually circulated for years, but haven’t been widely known to the general public. The incident occurred in 1991, at the conclusion of a transmission from Robinson’s ship, The Satellite of Love. Robinson had performed a song for the scientists on Earth who were monitoring his mission, when he flashed the sign.

The apology appears to be too late, as Netflix has canceled Gizmonic Institute’s flagship television show “Mystery Science Theater 3000”. Falsa Nominis, who oversaw the program, told reporters “There is no tolerance for such behavior at Netflix. We seek to be inclusive of all, and will not tolerate intolerance.”

Robinson left Gizmonic Institute suddenly in October 1993 under mysterious circumstances. It is now speculated that his departure was related to white supremacist activity, although the company has denied this. Former shipmate Crow T. Robot indicated that Robinson had a superior attitude when they served together. “He would claim that he ‘made us’ and treated as though we weren’t even people,” Crow said.

Robinson’s position in space was filled by Mike Nelson, who remained as the company’s sole astronaut, although the ground crew at mission headquarters in the company’s Deep 13 location was replaced in 1997. Nelson, accompanied by mission robots, returned to Earth in 1999. A new crew was launched in 2017, but the future of that mission is now in doubt following the decision by Netflix to end the program.

IMAO attempted to obtain further information from lunar base Moon 13, speaking with a Research and Development team lead who identified himself only as Ardy, refusing to provide a last name. Ardy said the actions of Robinson were misunderstood. “I’ve known Joel for as long as I can remember. Joel Robinson is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I’ve ever known in my life.”

When asked about the photos of Robinson flashing the white supremacist sign, Ardy said “It’s unfortunate that the gesture has been misinterpreted. ‘Unfortunate’ isn’t a strong enough work. It stinks!”