In Photos: President Donald Trump and NASA

Press Conference

Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot, along with Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, center, and NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, talks to reporters outside of the West Wing of the White House shortly after President Donald Trump, First Daughter Ivanka Trump, and Rubins, talked with NASA astronauts Peggy Whitson and Jack Fischer onboard the International Space Station Monday, April 24, 2017 from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. The President congratulated Whitson for breaking the record for cumulative time spent in space by a U.S. astronaut. The President and First Daughter also discussed with the three astronauts what it is like to live and work on the orbiting outpost as well as the importance of STEM.

Ready for the Vice President

Acting NASA Director, Robert Lightfoot, welcomes guests and introduces Vice President Mike Pence, Thursday, July 6, 2017, at the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Vice President Mike Pence is also scheduled to speak at the event to highlight innovations made in America and tour some of the public-private partnership work that is helping to transform the center into a multi-user spaceport.

Introducing the New Class

Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot, left, Vice President Mike Pence, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Senator Ted Cruz, (R-TX), Lamar Smith, R-Texas, and Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas, right, are seen during an event where NASA introduced 12 new astronaut candidates, Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. After completing two years of training, the new astronaut candidates could be assigned to missions performing research on the International Space Station, launching from American soil on spacecraft built by commercial companies, and launching on deep space missions on NASA’s new Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket.

Future Astronauts

Vice President Mike Pence recognizes the newly introduced 12 new NASA astronaut candidates, Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. After completing two years of training, the new astronaut candidates could be assigned to missions performing research on the International Space Station, launching from American soil on spacecraft built by commercial companies, and launching on deep space missions on NASA’s new Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket.

Making his Mark

In the tradition of others, Vice President Mike Pence signs a hatch from a space station training module mockup, Wednesday, June 7, 2017 in building 9 of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Vice President Pence took part in an event introducing 12 new NASA astronaut candidates. After completing two years of training, the new astronaut candidates could be assigned to missions performing research on the International Space Station, launching from American soil on spacecraft built by commercial companies, and launching on deep space missions on NASA’s new Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket.

Vice President and Future Astronauts

Vice President Mike Pence poses for a group photograph with NASA's 12 new astronaut candidates, Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. NASA astronaut candidates, standing from left, Robb Kulin, Jonathan Kim, Robert Hines, Warren Hoburg, Matthew Dominick, Kayla Barron, Jessica Watkins, from left kneeling, Francisco Rubio, Loral O’Hara, Jasmin Moghbeli, Zena Cardman, and Raja Chari. After completing two years of training, the new astronaut candidates could be assigned to missions performing research on the International Space Station, launching from American soil on spacecraft built by commercial companies, and launching on deep space missions on NASA’s new Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket.

Inspiring Words

Vice President Mike Pence delivers remarks during an event where NASA introduced 12 new astronaut candidates, Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. After completing two years of training, the new astronaut candidates could be assigned to missions performing research on the International Space Station, launching from American soil on spacecraft built by commercial companies, and launching on deep space missions on NASA’s new Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket.

The Future of Space Flight

Vice President Mike Pence, second from right; NASA Acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot, left; Deputy Director, Kennedy Space Center, Janet Petro, second from left; NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, center; and Director, Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Robert Cabana, right, look at the Orion capsule that will fly on the first integrated flight with the Space Launch System rocket in 2019, during a tour of the Kennedy Space Center's (KSC) Operations and Checkout Building on Thursday, July 6, 2017 in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Pence at Mission Control

Vice President Mike Pence tours the historic Mission Operation Control Room 2, Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The Vice President was at the space center to welcome America’s newest astronaut candidates, chosen from more than 18,300 applicants to carry the torch for future human space exploration. After completing two years of training, the new astronaut candidates could be assigned to missions performing research on the International Space Station, launching from American soil on spacecraft built by commercial companies, and launching on deep space missions on NASA’s new Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket.

Learning the Ropes

Vice President Mike Pence, center, listens to NASA Deputy Chief Flight Director Holly Ridings, right, and NASA Flight Director Rick Henfling during a tour of the Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center, Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The Vice President was at the space center to welcome America’s newest astronaut candidates, chosen from more than 18,300 applicants to carry the torch for future human space exploration. After completing two years of training, the new astronaut candidates could be assigned to missions performing research on the International Space Station, launching from American soil on spacecraft built by commercial companies, and launching on deep space missions on NASA’s new Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket.