Asked for a comment from Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on the new investigation into the Air Force’s Thunderbirds Airshow Production Services affair by the DOD Inspector General’s office, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said May 7 that the confidence Gates has in the Air Force leadership “remains unchanged.” Morrell then added, “However, he is waiting to hear the results of a couple of outstanding investigations involving them.” Morrell did not elaborate on the other investigations.
A new White House policy calls for the Pentagon to craft plans for additional space launch facilities to support a projected increase in launch demand that could see the U.S. supporting as many as 1,000 launches by 2030, more than a fivefold increase from 2025.