More than 100 NASA astronauts have engaged in a nonpartisan effort to promote “the principles that have powered our nation for 250 years.”
By Adam Kovac edited by Claire Cameron
Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images
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More than 100 retired NASA astronauts have banded together to form a new nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting American constitutional principles. The group Astronauts for America said in a statement open letter released Tuesday that its members “believe deeply in the principles that have propelled our nation for 250 years,” such as the rule of law, checks and balances and the peaceful transition of power.
“I think we’ve all been concerned for a number of years about not being comfortable with the way certain things are going,” says Linda Godwin, co-founder and former astronaut of Astronauts for America. “It was very enriching to discover that many of us felt the same way and that together we have a stronger voice.”
Godwin flew aboard NASA’s Space Shuttle four times between 1991 and 2001 and also served on the International Space Station during that time. She says many astronauts have become concerned about the recent decline in public trust in government and science and about the now increased levels of political polarization.
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“Civil discourse is not working well right now, and it’s concerning enough that we just want to speak up now,” she said. “In our time as astronauts, we learned that when you see something, you speak.”
In the open letterAstronauts for America highlighted how cooperation, regardless of political beliefs, is essential to the success of NASA’s mission.
The group plans to release scorecards rating national political candidates based on their compliance with the Constitution and the rule of law. The group also plans to meet with policymakers to push for “evidence-based leadership,” Astronauts for America said in a statement.
The astronauts who have committed to supporting the organization span several generations of crewed spaceflight. Among the members are Apollo 9They include Rusty Schweickart, former deputy director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and retired astronaut Ellen Ochoa, as well as former astronaut Scott Kelly, who is the brother of another retired astronaut and current Arizona Democratic senator, Mark Kelly. Although everyone in the group has been to space, Godwin says it is a diverse, nonpartisan coalition.
“We consider that the same fundamental values of respect for our Constitution and the rule of law extend to all parties,” she said. “There may be people on both sides who are not representing the people well, especially in Congress, which is the closest thing to the voice of the American people.”
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