Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik interviewed Garrett Reisman and Steve Lindsey on Episode 209 of the "This Week In Space" podcast to discuss their new organization, Astronauts for America.
Reisman, a former NASA astronaut who flew on four Space Shuttle missions and spent time aboard the International Space Station, and Lindsey, a retired Space Shuttle commander with five spaceflights to his credit, launched the initiative to mobilize the astronaut community around shared priorities. The organization brings together current and former space explorers to advocate for policies and initiatives affecting human spaceflight and the broader space industry.
The pair discussed the motivations behind forming Astronauts for America during the podcast, though specific details about the organization's immediate agenda remain limited in available reporting. Historically, astronauts have occasionally organized collectively to address spaceflight concerns, though such formal advocacy groups remain relatively uncommon in the U.S. space community.
Reisman retired from NASA in 2011 after a career that included scientific research on the ISS and shuttle operations. Lindsey logged more than 1,400 hours in space across his five shuttle missions, commanding STS-133 and STS-135, the final two Space Shuttle flights.
The formation of Astronauts for America reflects growing dialogue within the spaceflight community about the future direction of American human spaceflight. With commercial crew programs now operational and plans advancing for lunar missions under the Artemis program, astronauts possess unique firsthand knowledge of program challenges and opportunities.
The podcast episode provides a platform for Reisman and Lindsey to explain their vision directly to space enthusiasts and industry observers. Listeners can hear their perspectives on how the astronaut community might contribute to shaping space policy and supporting the nation's long-term space exploration goals. The