August 29: The almighty vs. the alternative

Today is launch day for the Space Launch System Rocket, which will push the Orion spacecraft on a trajectory to orbit the moon. It lifts off at 8:33 a.m. Eastern time from the ​​Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA TV’s stream of the enormous 30-story tall rocket is already live with a countdown clock.

This is a big day for VP Kamala Harris. There have occasionally been snickers about the fact that the vice president chairs the administration’s National Space Council. Today the potential upside of that assignment will take center stage.

If all goes well, in six days, the unmanned Orion capsule — which can accommodate four astronauts in future missions — will begin orbiting the moon from a distance of some 43,000 miles from the lunar surface.

Kara Tabor is an audio producer for POLITICO Audio.
Raghu Manavalan is the Host of POLITICO's Playbook.
Jenny Ament is the Executive Producer of POLITICO Audio.