Vice President Kamala Harris commits U.S. to not conducting ASAT missile testing at Vandenberg Space Force Base visit
VANDENBERG, Calif. – Air Force Two flew into Santa Barbara County on Monday for a vice presidential visit to the Vandenberg Space Force Base by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.
Harris flew into the base at approximately 2:45 p.m.
Just in: Vice President @KamalaHarris has arrived at Vandenberg Space Force Base. She’ll spend the afternoon on the Central Coast before heading to Los Angeles for a fundraiser. @SLDelta30 @NewsChannel312 pic.twitter.com/EkCRFfx6pb
— Joey Buttitta (@Joey_Buttitta) April 18, 2022
She met with the men and women of the Space Force and the U.S. Space Command, and received updates on their work advancing U.S. national security. She wrapped up her visit with remarks.
Harris came to speak in order to advance the United States’ space security and promote responsible space behavior.
During her visit, Harris announced that the U.S. will commit to not conducting destructive, direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) missile testing and called on other nations to make similar commitments. The vice president encouraged other countries to work together to establish this as a norm.
"We must write new rules of the road, and we will lead by example," Harris said.
"Today, we are taking a major step forward in this effort that specifically addresses the problem of destructive missile tests."
The commitment addresses a pressing threat to the security and sustainability of space, as both China and Russia have conducted destructive, direct-ascent ASAT missile tests.
It is the Biden-Harris Administration’s first initiative in an effort for the National Security Council staff to work with the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and other national security agencies to develop proposals for space norms that preserve space security.
“The destruction of space objects through direct-ascent ASAT missile testing is reckless and irresponsible,” said White House officials.
“The long-lived debris created by these tests now threaten satellites and other space objects that are vital to all nations’ security, economic, and scientific interests, and increases risk to astronauts in space.”
Developing a shared understanding of what defines safe and responsible space activities reduces the risk of miscommunication and miscalculation, contributing to a more stable space environment.
Harris said that the U.S. is the first nation to make this type of commitment.
"We believe that this will benefit everyone, just as space benefits everyone," she said.
Congressman Salud Carbajal and Senator Alex Padilla spoke shortly before Harris stepped up to the podium.
The last time a sitting vice president visited Vandenberg was three years ago, when Mike Pence paid a visit to the base.
Harris' visit comes as Vandenberg Space Force Base has been named as a possible future location for the U.S. Space Force's space training and readiness command headquarters, also known as "STARCOM."
Her visit also comes on the heels of another Space-X rocket launch on Easter Sunday. The first stage booster of the Falcon-9 rocket returned to the base creating a sonic boom. The rocket was delivering a top secret payload into orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office.
Stay tuned to News Channel 3-12 for coverage of Harris' visit throughout Monday.
