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Mike Pence handles delicate NASA hardware right next to ‘do not touch’ sign ‘Dominance in the heavens’: Pushy US VP Pence overrides NASA’s ‘do not touch’ command
(about 1 hour later)
US Vice President Mike Pence boldly declared Americans would return to their lunar hunting grounds and step on the Red Planet during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. It’s his hands-on approach, however, that sent the internet into warp speed.US Vice President Mike Pence boldly declared Americans would return to their lunar hunting grounds and step on the Red Planet during a visit to Kennedy Space Center. It’s his hands-on approach, however, that sent the internet into warp speed.
During the speech in Cape Canaveral, Pence pledged to make space exploration a top priority for the US. “Our nation will return to the Moon and we will put American boots on the face of Mars,” he said.During the speech in Cape Canaveral, Pence pledged to make space exploration a top priority for the US. “Our nation will return to the Moon and we will put American boots on the face of Mars,” he said.
"With the National Space Council, we will grab that destiny with both hands and go to work with each and every one of you,” Pence continued."With the National Space Council, we will grab that destiny with both hands and go to work with each and every one of you,” Pence continued.
Following the speech a photo emerged that hints that the vice president may have meant that quite literally. The picture, which flew straight into orbit on social media, shows Pence solemnly touching a piece of NASA hardware clearly labelled “Critical space hardware. Do not touch.”Following the speech a photo emerged that hints that the vice president may have meant that quite literally. The picture, which flew straight into orbit on social media, shows Pence solemnly touching a piece of NASA hardware clearly labelled “Critical space hardware. Do not touch.”
Naturally the internet is beside itself making jokes about the photo, which was snapped by Mike Brown of Reuters.Naturally the internet is beside itself making jokes about the photo, which was snapped by Mike Brown of Reuters.
What has really baffled people is that Pence touched the “critical space hardware” so close to the sign that he couldn’t possibly have missed.What has really baffled people is that Pence touched the “critical space hardware” so close to the sign that he couldn’t possibly have missed.
The former Indiana governor’s views on science could have left him out in the cold, as far as NASA was concerned.The former Indiana governor’s views on science could have left him out in the cold, as far as NASA was concerned.
His remark that “under President Donald Trump, American security will be as dominant in the heavens as we are here on Earth” also raised eyebrows.His remark that “under President Donald Trump, American security will be as dominant in the heavens as we are here on Earth” also raised eyebrows.
Pence made the latest faux pas while touring the Orion spacecraft clean room which is designed to keep particles inside the Vehicle Assembly Building from collecting on the outside of the spacecraft during processing.Pence made the latest faux pas while touring the Orion spacecraft clean room which is designed to keep particles inside the Vehicle Assembly Building from collecting on the outside of the spacecraft during processing.
NASA does this because even a slight contamination can create problems inside a capsule.NASA does this because even a slight contamination can create problems inside a capsule.
In a 2012 article about clean rooms NASA said: “It may not sound like a big deal for something that will be exposed to space, but an earthly bit of pollen or sand or even a human hair can confuse a star tracker, lead to a build up around an exhaust port or block a thruster.”In a 2012 article about clean rooms NASA said: “It may not sound like a big deal for something that will be exposed to space, but an earthly bit of pollen or sand or even a human hair can confuse a star tracker, lead to a build up around an exhaust port or block a thruster.”