ORLANDO, Fla. — Vice President Kamala Harris was among the thousands of people who came to the Space Coast on Monday hoping to witness the launch of Artemis I. Although the rocket never left the launch pad, Harris did get an up-close view of the nation’s space launch facilities.
Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff arrived just after 8 a.m. on Air Force Two, landing on the former space shuttle runway at Kennedy Space Center. They were greeted by a number of NASA leaders including administrator Bill Nelson and Kennedy Space Center director Janet Petro.
“She and I had a good visit,” Nelson said of Harris. “She’s very happy to be here. She is an enthusiastic space booster, as is President Biden. So this, this whole thing will make our country proud.”
As vice president, Harris chairs the National Space Council, and advises President Joe Biden on space policy and strategy. She’s been briefed on Artemis’ goal to land the first woman and person of color on the moon in a few years.
Harris’ motorcade went past the Vehicle Assembly Building and took her to KSC’s Operations Support Building II, where she was scheduled to view the launch. But shortly after arriving, Artemis’ flight was scrubbed because of an engine issue.
“While we hoped to see the launch of Artemis I today, the attempt provided valuable data as we test the most powerful rocket in history,” Harris said in a Tweet. “Our commitment to the Artemis Program remains firm, and we will return to the moon.”
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