Pence previews next week's US return to space

Vice President Mike Pence hosted a preview of U.S. program that will launch next week to return astronauts to .

"Welcome to Launch America edition of National Council," said Pence Tuesday in Washington.

"We are one week and one day away from when America will return American astronauts on American rockets from American soil to ."

On May 27, NASA astronauts are set to blast into orbit from home turf on a private company’s rocket, a first since end of shuttle era in 2011.

And for first time in history of human flight, a private company, X, is providing ride.

NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley will fly on X's Crew Dragon craft, lifting off on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida.

"Even in midst of a national crisis, NASA stayed on mission and kept doing work," said Pence.

"And I have to tell you that it's going to be a great inspiration to country next week to see you two go aloft from Kennedy Center."