WASHINGTON — U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to speak during the opening ceremony of the 70th International Astronautical Congress here Oct. 21, the IAC’s organizers announced this week.
Pence chairs the National Space Council the Trump administration reestablished in 2017 to guide and coordinate civil, commercial, national security and international space policy matters.
The IAC’s organizers, the International Astronautical Federation and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautic, said that additional security measures and procedures will be put in place due to Pence’s participation in the opening ceremony. The IAF and AIAA said that delegates, exhibitors, and media will be notified the week of Oct. 14 of any specific instructions, security requirements or schedules changes that might impact the opening ceremony.
The IAC is held in a different host country each year. This year’s IAC is being held Oct. 21-25 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Next year’s IAC will be head in the United Arab Emirates.
SpaceNews will be delivering special coverage of the 70th International Astronautical Congress all week, including publishing print and electronic show dailies during the conference. SpaceNews is accepting advertising for these publications.