- Source: CNN " data-fave-thumbnails="{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/180806161031-mike-pence-cybersecurity-summit.jpg?q=x_0,y_140,h_1519,w_2700,c_crop/h_540,w_960" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/180806161031-mike-pence-cybersecurity-summit.jpg?q=x_0,y_140,h_1519,w_2700,c_crop/h_540,w_960" } }" data-vr-video="false" data-show-html=" The Lead " data-byline-html="
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Published 11:50 AM EDT, Fri August 10, 2018
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NEW YORK, NY - JULY 31: Vice President Mike Pence speaks during the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity Summit on July 31, 2018 in New York City. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said, "Cyberattacks now exceed the danger of physical attacks...This has forced us to rethink homeland security." (Photo by Kevin Hagen/Getty Images)
Pence unveils plans for 'Space Force'
02:08 - Source: CNN
CNN  — 

He was there when man first landed on the moon in 1969 and on Friday, Buzz Aldrin endorsed a new galactic effort – the Trump administration’s Space Force.

“One giant leap in the right direction. #SpaceForce,” the retired astronaut tweeted, quoting a message from Vice President Mike Pence about the initiative.

THE PRESIDENT meets with the National Space Council In-House Pool (Pre-set 9:30AM | Final Gather 11:15AM -- Palm Room Doors)
THE PRESIDENT meets with the National Space Council In-House Pool (Pre-set 9:30AM | Final Gather 11:15AM -- Palm Room Doors)
Pool

Related article Pence calls for creation of Space Force by 2020

On Thursday, Pence called for the establishment of a Space Force by 2020 and noted the Department of Defense would be taking to steps to reform the military’s approach to space. The announcement comes after President Donald Trump said in June that he was directing “the Pentagon to immediately begin the process necessary to establish a Space Force as the sixth branch of the armed forces.” The establishment of the new military service would require congressional approval.

Although Aldrin praised the proposed program, at least one another retired astronaut panned it as unnecessary.

“I don’t think it’s necessary,” Scott Kelly told CNN’s Brooke Baldwin on “CNN Newsroom with Brooke Baldwin” Thursday. “Space is an environment that we’re supposed to work together peacefully in.”

“The only person you hear promoting this is the President, so it’d be nice to get a little more of a buy-in from the experts and it doesn’t seem like we have that,” he added.

CNN’s Ryan Browne contributed to this report.