posted 04-21-2026 09:20 AM               

Over 100 Former NASA Astronauts Launch 'Astronauts For America' to Uphold the Constitution

Today, a group of 103 former NASA Astronauts launched Astronauts For America, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to upholding constitutional values; restoring public trust in American democracy; and supporting leaders who respect science, use data to make decisions, and work across political differences for the good of the American people. As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, the former NASA Astronauts are reaffirming the oath they each took to support and defend the U.S. Constitution.

In an open letter to the American people, the Astronauts call on their fellow patriots to join their mission to put country over party, writing, “If you’re like us, you might not be used to talking about politics outside of your home. We didn’t spend time discussing who we voted for when we were working in the NASA Astronaut Corps. We know the importance of respecting one another and speaking up when things don’t look right. We’ve seen what Americans can achieve when we work as a team toward a common goal.”

Astronauts For America is rooted in patriotism and commitment to our nation’s foundational documents. The organization plans to release candidate scorecards that educate voters, support sound leadership, and hold leaders accountable when they ignore the Constitution and the rule of law. Astronauts For America members will also meet directly with federal policymakers to advocate for evidence-based leadership and for Congress to exercise its constitutional authority.

Astronauts For America is a coalition of former Astronauts from across the political spectrum who believe deeply in truth, science, and service. The Astronauts include veterans, scientists, teachers, and engineers from all political backgrounds and all parts of the country. Astronauts For America members believe respect for the peaceful transfer of power, bipartisan cooperation, equal opportunity, and constitutional limits are all essential to a functioning democracy.

Astronauts For America is co-chaired by two seasoned NASA Astronauts, Garrett Reisman and Steve Lindsey. Reisman flew two Space Shuttle missions to the International Space Station and was Director of Space Operations at SpaceX, where he played a central role in the first commercial spacecraft to carry astronauts to orbit. Lindsey flew five Space Shuttle missions and served as Chief of the Astronaut Office, overseeing astronaut training and space operations. He is a former U.S. Air Force Colonel and test pilot.

In all their years of friendship, Reisman and Lindsey were focused on the mission, not on politics. Only recently did they discover that one is a registered Democrat, and the other a registered Republican. While their political affiliations may differ, they share a deep love of country and respect for the Constitution.

“America is a beacon of freedom and democracy,” said Garrett Reisman, Co-Chair of Astronauts For America. “I love this country and I’m forever grateful that NASA allowed me to live the American dream. The goal of Astronauts For America is to ensure the American dream endures for our children, grandchildren, and all Americans. From space, you see what unites us is more important than what divides us. I took on many difficult missions throughout my career, and I view this newest mission as yet another way to bring patriots together and put our country first.”

“On my many voyages to space, my colleagues and I set aside our differences to reach a common goal,” said Steve Lindsey, Co-Chair of Astronauts For America. “That is exactly what Astronauts For America aims to achieve. Our organization will proudly support leaders who exercise objective evidenced-based reasoning, respect truth and honesty, and display the ability to work together with civility, regardless of political affiliations. As former Astronauts, we understand that truth, science, and teamwork are not optional. In spaceflight, ignoring evidence costs lives. In democracy, it costs trust, stability, and freedom.”

“When we prepared for spaceflight, we treated our crewmembers with mutual respect and we compromised when the mission required it,” said Charles Bolden, Astronauts For America Co-Founder, former NASA Administrator, and U.S. Marine Corps Major General (ret.). “That’s how our nation’s leaders should operate. Through my service in the Marines and at NASA, my colleagues and I defended the U.S. Constitution and the American values that have allowed our nation to become the greatest country in the world. Creating a safer and more prosperous American future requires a return to those ideals.”

As a coalition of former NASA Astronauts, Astronauts For America members have sworn an oath to defend the Constitution and lived that oath through service in NASA and, for many, in the U.S. armed forces. Astronauts For America is grounded in the commitment to service, demonstration of good judgment, and patriotism that are hallmarks of Astronauts. We exist to remind Americans of the values that make self-government possible and to use the unique trust placed in astronauts to strengthen American democracy for the long term.

Astronauts For America’s open letter to the American people is available in full here.

posted 04-21-2026 11:31 AM               

Former NASA administrator and retired United States Marine Corps Major General Charles Bolden and Wendy Lawrence, who served as a U.S. Navy captain and helicopter pilot, join TODAY to talk about their non-partisan, nonprofit organization Astronauts for America and its goal to help lawmakers put political differences aside, respect science and adhere to The Constitution. They also share how they reacted to the launch of the Artemis II mission around the moon.

posted 04-21-2026 04:35 PM               

Unfortunately, and I'm not just talking about our current President, many politicians are known to hold grudges. Given that the retired astronauts are relatively untouchable, these sort of politicians will strike back in the way that is most open to them... the NASA budget. Further, the politicians may make more overtly political demands of NASA.

posted 04-21-2026 05:10 PM               

The National Space Society, which for years was chaired by Buzz Aldrin and led by Charlie Walker as its president, organized as many if not more astronauts to sign petitions supporting or objecting to political causes.

posted 04-22-2026 11:22 AM               

We all know why they are doing this, I just hope it's not too late. Political retribution is already rampant, so now is the time to push the envelope.

posted 04-23-2026 04:13 AM               

I feel that somewhere there are words that could be strung together to remind people that less than two weeks ago, for a moment in time, Artemis II created the opportunity for the world to stand still and admire Earth from a distance, and watch in awe at what can be achieved.

This week the partisanship and threats of political retribution are back.

Unfortunately, I am not a wordsmith capable of stringing such words in any meaningful way that could provide enlightenment, and my comprehension of the American political world or American society at this point in time is sadly lacking.