Sean OKeefe and John Grunsfeld, Your Turn Published 7:27 a.m. ET July 28, 2020

As we struggle with the disastrous effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to reflect on our nations capacity for great achievements in response to challenge. Fifty-one years ago this month, the world watched in awe as the Apollo 11 crew fulfilled President John F. Kennedys vision for our nations preeminence in space, humanitys dream of exploration beyond our planet, and the hard work of Floridians to get them there.

The plaque the Apollo 11 crew members left behind at Tranquility Base expressed the spirit in which America undertook the quest: We Came In Peace for All Mankind.

Today, Americans face a choice about whether we want to renew that vision and continue to lead the world in exploration beyond our own planet, and our drive to unravel the mysteries of the universe. With opportunities at hand for innovation and exploration, the United States can again go in peace for all humankind.

We believe the best leader to realize that ambition is Joe Biden.

Like President Kennedy, Biden believes that NASA represents the best of America and helps our country to be even better that NASA inspires all Americans, serves as an engine for economic and technology developments, engages citizens in science and engineering, and boosts our global leadership by working with our partners across the world for continued peaceful development of space to the benefit of all.

Biden captured the essence of our space aspirations when at the funeral for his long-time colleague, friend, and intrepid explorer, John Glenn, he observed, We are a country of possibility, opportunity - always a belief in tomorrow.

Biden appreciates that our current space efforts, led by NASA with the support of the emerging commercial space companies, are important sources of scientific, economic, and technological progress which further improves our nations ability to leverage cooperation with other nations.The space agencys missions involve not only extending our exploration reach beyond our planet, but also using science to inform our efforts to save it, combating climate change, improving the lives of American citizens with micro gravity research to help fight disease, developing new materials and innovative manufacturing methods, and advancing aeronautical technology and safety.

John Grunsfeld is a veteran astronaut of five Space Shuttle flights and served as NASA Chief Scientist in the Bush Administration and NASA Associate Administrator for Science in the Obama-Biden Administration.(Photo: Provided)

Since NASA routinely engages with global partners, Biden is mindful that this is an opportunity to exert active public diplomacy on matters of common interest with other nations. Over the last two decades, the International Space Station is the only place off this planet that has been continuously occupied by humans from 18 different nations engaged in science and research to improve life here on earth and develop new ways to explore beyond.

With his diplomatic experience in the U.S. Senate and White House, Biden appreciates that long standing success with global collaboration helps complement our diplomatic engagements to reduce tensions in relationships and solve problems with other nations. With an increasing number of countries launching their own national satellites, space systems and communications networks, the prospects of tension, conflict and collisions are rising. This isnt just the stuff that Hollywood movies are made of this emerging challenge is real. Given his global credibility, Biden can uniquely leverage his deep relationships abroad to establish safe protocols, diminish the friction between operators in space and advance global compliance of peaceful uses in space.

Biden knows that NASA has accomplished a great deal by evolving and adapting to rapid change. Through his public service, Biden has had an important influence to forge bipartisan support for NASA. Seeing the vast potential of the burgeoning commercial space industry, the Obama-Biden Administration helped NASA seize opportunities to extend our exploration reach and conduct its other important activities.

The recent NASA/SpaceX launch of American astronauts to the International Space Station was set in motion by a strategy devised in the George W. Bush Administration and enabled by policies established by the Obama-Biden Administration and is yielding results now.

After the Falcon 9 launch in May, Biden noted, We planted the seeds of todays success during the 2009 Recovery Act. According to NASA, it has now saved taxpayers up to $30 billion and invigorated an aerospace industry in Florida that accounts for more than 130,000 jobs in the state.

Sean OKeefe served as NASA Administrator from 2001-2005 in the George W. Bush Administration.(Photo: Provided)

All eyes in the years ahead should again be on Floridas Space Coast. With Bidens leadership we will see new jobs, new missions and new benefits to extend our exploration horizons, seek answers to profound scientific questions, and provide tangible benefits for all Americans.

We have some insight into what this will take. One of us is among the few to go to space and experience the wonder of exploration. One of us had the privilege to lead the agency that achieved great ambitions. Both of us are honored to support Joe Biden because he is uniquely qualified to lead the nation and our global partners in this next chapter of discovery.

Sean OKeefe served as NASA Administrator from 2001-2005 in the George W. Bush Administration. John Grunsfeld is a veteran astronaut of five Space Shuttle flights and served as NASA Chief Scientist in the Bush Administration and NASA Associate Administrator for Science in the Obama-Biden Administration.

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Joe Biden is the best choice for space progress | Opinion - Florida Today