The Latest: Trump signing directive to clean up space junk

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump announcing new “Space Force,” other space initiatives. (all times local):

12:50 p.m.:

President Donald Trump is signing a new space policy directive at the White House that aims to reduce satellite clutter in space.

Trump said Monday that the United States’ space program had been bogged down by politics and rising costs.

The policy calls for providing a safe and secure environment in orbit, as satellite traffic increases. It also sets up new guidelines for satellite design and operation, to avoid collisions and spacecraft breakups.

Trump also declared that “there’s no place like space.”

The president made the announcement at the same time he revealed the creation of what he called the Space Force, a new branch of the military whose creation will be overseen by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford.

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12:35 p.m.:

President Donald Trump is announcing that he is directing the Pentagon to create the ‘Space Force’ as an independent service branch.

Trump said Monday that “we are going to have the space force” which he deemed a “separate but equal” branch of the military.

Trump says the United States will “be the leader by far” in space and looks to revive the nation’s flagging space program.

The president framed space as a national security issue, saying he does not want “China and Russia and other countries leading us.”

Trump also vowed to soon return the United States to the moon and to reach Mars.

Trump was joined by Vice President Mike Pence, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, former astronaut Buzz Aldrin and members of his space council.

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11 a.m.

The White House is establishing a new policy for reducing satellite clutter in space.

President Donald Trump is expected to sign the new space policy directive Monday, as the National Space Council convenes.

The new policy calls for providing a safe and secure environment up in orbit, as satellite traffic increases. It also sets up new guidelines for satellite design and operation, to avoid collisions and spacecraft breakups.

Vice President Mike Pence heads the recently revived space council. Cabinet members will take part in the afternoon meeting at the White House, as well as NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, retired astronauts and scientists.

The council’s executive secretary, Scott Pace, told reporters before the meeting that space is becoming increasingly congested and current guidelines are inadequate to address the challenge.