USA: Mike Pence says United States Space Force now on the horizon

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W/S US Vice President Mike Pence arriving at podium for speech to National Space Council (NSC) next to space shuttle discovery, Chantilly, Virginia
SOT, Mike Pence, US Vice President: "In this still new century America is not only going to return to the Moon but we're going to return there with new objectives. Because unlike a half-century ago this time our objective will be to establish a permanent presence on the Lunar surface and from there we will develop the capabilities to journey to the red planet of Mars. In order for us to take the next big leap toward the Martian surface you all here know that we have to demonstrate that we can live on the Moon for months and even years. We have to learn how to make use of all available resources to sustain human life and all our activities in space, including by mining the vast quantities of life sustaining water that is frozen in ice on our Lunar poles. And once we return to the Moon, we're going to develop the technologies to live and thrive in a multi-month expedition at its south pole. Using what we learn on the Moon will bring us closer to the day, as the President said that American astronauts will plant the stars and stripes on the surface of Mars."
W/S National Space Council (NSC) attendees clapping Mike Pence and space shuttle discovery *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Mike Pence, US Vice President: "We also must lead in security, for the sake of our security both here on Earth and in the heavens above at President Trump's direction we are working with congress as we speak to stand up a new branch of our armed forces. Soon Congress will approve and the president will sign the sixth branch of the armed forces of the United States; the United States Space Force."
W/S Space shuttle discovery *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Mike Pence, US Vice President: "As the president has said, we all recognise it's been frankly true for decades that in his words 'space is a warfighting domain.' The United States will ensure that our nation is prepared to defend our people and our interests and defend our values in the vast expanse of space, and, here on the Earth, with the technologies that will support our common defence from the vast reaches of outer space. Next week we will formally stand up the unified combatant command to be known as the United States Space Command and I'm pleased to announce that we will recognise its new leader, four star airforce general John Raymond will be the first leader of the United States Space Command."
W/S National Space Council (NSC) attendees clapping Mike Pence *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Mike Pence, US Vice President: "As President Trump said, in his words it is America's destiny to be the leader amongst nations on our adventure into the great unknown. That's why the national space council also was re-constituted and that's what brought us here today. And while the task before us involves hardship, and hazard, sacrifice and perserverence we know like the men and women of Apollo 11 knew 50 years ago. And that is simply this; that Americans can accomplish anything we set our minds to. And America will lead the world back into the vast expanse of space."
M/S National Space Council (NSC) attendees clapping Mike Pence *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Mike Pence, US Vice President: "Working with our industry leaders before the year is out the United States will once again send American astronauts into space on American rockets, from American soil."
W/S US Vice President Mike Pence leaving podium
SCRIPT
US Vice President Mike Pence addressed the sixth National Space Council (NSC) meeting in Chantilly, Virginia, on Tuesday.
"Once we return to the Moon, we're going to develop the technologies to live and thrive in a multi-month expedition at its south pole. Using what we learn on the Moon will bring us closer to the day, as the President said that American astronauts will plant the stars and stripes on the surface of Mars," Pence told the National Space Council.
The Vice President Mike Pence also reaffirmed the government’s plans to establish a Space Force; a sixth branch of the armed forces to tackle security challenges in space and announced that US Air Force General John Raymond will head the US Space Command as a first step to the formation of the unit.
"Soon Congress will approve and the president will sign the sixth branch of the armed forces of the United States; the United States Space Force," he said.
"Working with our industry leaders before the year is out the United States will once again send American astronauts into space on American rockets, from American soil," the Vice President also said.
The National Space Council was disbanded in 1993 but revived again under President Donald Trump. The council is headed by Vice President Mike Pence.