Wednesday happened to be Vice President Mike Pence’s birthday.
It also just so happens the vice president has direct responsibility over NASA. So, by a confluence of coincidences, he got quite the birthday treat by announcing the 2017 Class of Astronauts at Johnson Space Center in Houston.
“I can’t tell you how privileged and honored I feel today to be able to congratulate the newest class of American heroes, the 2017 class of America’s astronauts,” he said. “There are 12 men and women whose personal excellence and personal courage will carry our nation to even greater heights of discovery, and who I know will inspire our children and grandchildren every bit as your forebears have done so in this storied American program.”
The following are the 12 new astronauts named during Wednesday’s ceremony. Click each name to see that astronaut’s official NASA biographical web page:
- Kayla Barron
- Zena Cardman
- Raja Chari
- Matthew Dominick
- Bob Hines
- Warren Hoburg
- Jonny Kim
- Robb Kulin
- Jasmin Moghbeli
- Loral O’Hara
- Frank Rubio
- Jessica Watkins
“Let me make a promise to all of them, to these newly minted courageous heroes on this stage,” the vice president added. “Of our administration, this will be true: NASA will have the resources and supports you need to continue to make history, to push the boundaries of human knowledge and advance American leadership to the boundless frontier of space.”
You can see the entire ceremony in the video clip above. Prior to the ceremony, the vice president got a chance to tour the historic Mission Control room at JSC. Click here to see video of his experience. {eoa}
