Former NASA astronauts launch Astronauts for America to defend democracy
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The Artemis II astronauts who recently orbited the moon reminded us that watching people launch into space creates a deeply shared sense of connection, unity, and hope. The two of us have flown millions of kilometers in space. In each of these missions, we proudly represented our country, worked together to achieve a common goal, and had the responsibility to raise a concern when we noticed it.
We are former NASA astronauts and took an oath to support and defend the U.S. Constitution. We love this country and believe deeply in the American values that have guided our nation for nearly 250 years. On Tuesday, April 21, we launch a new patriotic mission: to protect the Constitution and the rule of law, and to elevate leaders committed to getting things done and preserving American democracy for the long term.
With the help and support of more than 100 former NASA astronauts, we created America’s Astronauts to promote democratic values that enable self-government. Our members are Republicans, Democrats and Independents from every corner of the country and every walk of society. Collectively, we bring to this work not ideology but a deep sense of duty.
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Steve served our nation for over 30 years as a pilot and astronaut in the U.S. Air Force and NASA. Garrett spent 95 days on the International Space Station and worked at SpaceX for more than a decade; most recently, he served as senior advisor and director of space operations. We both joined NASA because it represents the pinnacle of American possibility and achievement, using science, creativity, and teamwork to explore the outer limits of our world.
You can clearly see from space that what unites us is much more important than what divides us.
We’re not the kind of guys who do a lot of politics. Spaceflight is about commitment to the mission and working towards a common goal. Despite all the time we spent together over the years, politics never entered the conversation. We only recently learned that one of us is a registered Republican and the other is a registered Democrat.
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You can clearly see from space that what unites us is much more important than what divides us. But over the past several decades, partisan polarization has led to the weakening of our democracy and the erosion of our constitutional norms, including respect for the rule of law and limits on government power. Too often, evidence and expertise are ignored by those trying to score political points. And when democratic systems fail, it creates a domino effect: Civil rights diminish, science suffers, and national security is compromised.
Strengthening our democracy requires constant work and effort from all of us. As an organization, Astronauts for America seeks to restore respect for the Constitution by working across our differences and prioritizing truth and integrity in leadership. We will unite with voters and support elected officials who govern faithfully to the Constitution and who, like us, prioritize data and evidence. We will raise leaders who work across differences to get things done. And we will hold policymakers accountable when they ignore the rule of law.
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We tell our American friends: Democracy is not a spectator sport. Let us stand against divisiveness, polarization, and every attack on our American values. Let us look such evil in the face and remember our collective responsibility to defend the Constitution and democratic values that make the United States the greatest country in the world. Stand with every child in America who should not fear violence or ostracism when they express a dissenting opinion, and every child who dreams of representing America in space or achieving their own version of the American dream.
Anyone who has served in the armed forces or has been attached to a rocket wonders how it will react when tested. Will they rise to the occasion, or will they falter and weaken in the face of fear? We all hope and pray that we will do our best in the moment and that our colleagues will have our back.
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We are going through a difficult time right now. But we’ve seen from up close and from space what’s possible when Americans come together to put our country first.
Garrett Reisman is a former NASA astronaut and co-chair of Astronauts for America.
