Mike Pence – Spaceflight Now

Delta 4-Heavy launches U.S. spy satellite after months of delays

December 11, 2020 Stephen Clark

Running more than three months late, a United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket took off Thursday and carried a U.S. government spy satellite into an orbit thousands of miles above Earth in the first mission from the newly-renamed Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Live coverage: Delta 4-Heavy rocket launches from Cape Canaveral

December 10, 2020 Stephen Clark

A United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral at 8:09 p.m. EST Thursday (0109 GMT Friday). The long-delayed mission is carrying a classified spy satellite into orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office.

ULA’s Delta 4-Heavy ready for another launch attempt after pad repairs

December 9, 2020 Stephen Clark

United Launch Alliance is set to try again to launch a Delta 4-Heavy rocket and a classified U.S. government spy satellite Thursday after delays of more than three months caused by persistent issues with the mission’s launch pad.

NASA names 18 astronauts for Artemis moon missions

December 9, 2020 William Harwood

Eighteen astronauts have been selected — nine men and nine women — to begin training for upcoming Artemis missions to the moon, NASA announced Wednesday. The list includes the as-yet-unnamed next man and first woman who will set foot on the lunar surface later this decade.

Astronauts say NASA up to challenge of near-term moon landings

April 1, 2019 William Harwood

The three U.S. astronauts aboard the International Space Station said Monday they’re ready to sign up for a trip to the moon if NASA can meet the Trump administration’s newly stated goal of returning Americans to the lunar surface within the next five years.

Pence calls for NASA to land astronauts on the moon within five years

March 26, 2019 Stephen Clark

Vice President Mike Pence said Tuesday that NASA should land astronauts near the south pole of the moon within five years “by any means necessary,” calling for “new urgency” in the U.S. space program and sounding a warning for entrenched aerospace contractors to better meet schedule and cost commitments, or else lose work to other companies.

Trump calls for establishment of U.S. “space force”

June 18, 2018 William Harwood

Catching observers off guard, President Trump, in remarks before a National Space Council Meeting at the White House Monday, officially directed to Pentagon to establish a sixth branch of the military, a “space force,” to ensure American dominance on the high frontier.

Bridenstine sworn in as 13th NASA administrator

April 23, 2018 William Harwood

Oklahoma Republican Rep. Jim Bridenstine resigned from the House of Representatives Monday and was sworn in as NASA’s 13th administrator by Vice President Mike Pence, chairman of the recently revitalized National Space Council.

Pence vows to renew American space leadership

July 6, 2017 William Harwood

Vice President Mike Pence, chairman of the recently re-established National Space Council, toured the Kennedy Space Center Thursday and vowed to renew American leadership on the high frontier, telling spaceport workers “our nation will return to the moon, and we will put American boots on the face of Mars.”

Watch live: Vice President Pence visits Kennedy Space Center

July 6, 2017 Stephen Clark

Vice President Mike Pence is visiting NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, where he is expected to give remarks inside the Vehicle Assembly Building and tour the spaceport.