The Artemis II astronauts who recently circumnavigated the moon reminded us that watching people rocket into space creates a deeply shared sense of connection, unity and hope. Together we have flown millions of kilometers through space. At each of these missions, we proudly represented our country, worked together to achieve a common goal, and held the responsibility to speak out when we identified an area of concern.
We are former NASA astronauts and we took an oath to support and defend the United States Constitution. We love this country and we 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 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 founded Astronauts for America to advance the democratic values that make self-government possible. Our members are Republicans, Democrats and Independents from all corners of the country and from all walks of life. Together we bring a deep sense of duty, not ideology, to this work.
NASA’S ARTEMIS FOLLOW-UP MISSION ‘RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER’ AFTER SUCCESSFUL MOON FLIGHT
Steve served our country for over thirty years in the United States Air Force and NASA as a pilot and astronaut. Garrett spent 95 days on the International Space Station and worked at SpaceX for more than a decade, most recently as a senior advisor and director of Space Operations. We both joined NASA because it represents the pinnacle of American capability and achievement – using science, ingenuity and teamwork to explore the outer limits of our world.
From space you can clearly see that what unites us is much more important than what divides us.
We are not the kind of guys who are much concerned with politics. Spaceflight is about dedication to the mission and working toward a common goal. Despite all the time we’ve spent together over the years, politics has never come up. Only recently did we learn that one of us is a registered Republican and one of us is a registered Democrat.
NASA Chief JARED ISAACMAN SAYS ARTEMIS II WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE ‘WITHOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP’
From space you can clearly see that what unites us is much more important than what divides us. But in recent decades, partisan polarization has led to a weakening of our democracy and an erosion of our constitutional norms, including respect for the rule of law and limits on government power. Too often, evidence and expertise are dismissed by those looking to score political points. And when democratic systems fail, a domino effect occurs: civil rights decline, science suffers, and national security is jeopardized.
Strengthening our democracy requires continued efforts and efforts from all of us. As an organization, Astronauts for America strives to restore respect for the Constitution by working across our differences and prioritizing truth and integrity in leadership. We will work with voters and support elected officials who govern faithfully to the Constitution and who, like us, prioritize data and evidence. We will empower leaders who work across differences to get things done. And we will hold policymakers accountable when they ignore the rule of law.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS ADVICE
We say to our fellow countrymen: democracy is not a spectator sport. Let us oppose division, polarization, and any attack on our American values. Let us confront evil like this and remember our collective responsibility to defend the Constitution and the democratic values that make the United States the greatest country in the world. Stand up for every child in America who does not have to fear violence or exclusion for expressing dissent, and for every child who dreams of representing America in space or achieving his or her own version of the American dream.
Anyone who serves in the armed forces or straps on a missile wonders how he will react when tested. Will they rise to the occasion or falter and wither in the face of fear? We all hope and pray that we will be our best selves in that moment, and that our colleagues will have our backs.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
We are now in a challenging moment. But we have seen – up close and from space – what is possible when Americans come together to put our country first.
Garrett Reisman is a former NASA astronaut and co-chairman of Astronauts for America.
