“Soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and guardians will be defending our nation for generations to come.” On Twitter, the space force said: “The opportunity to name a force is a momentous responsibility. Guardians is a name with a long history in space operations, tracing back to the original command motto of Air Force Space Command in 1983, ‘Guardians of the High Frontier.’ “The name Guardians connects our proud heritage and culture to the important mission we execute 24/7, protecting the people and interest of the US and its allies. The force’s Latin motto, adopted in July, means: “Always above.” Pence’s announcement came on the same day Mike Hopkins, a US astronaut aboard the International Space Station, was transferred from the air force into the space force. Gen Jay Raymond, chief of space operations, said the new force was “beyond excited” to welcome its first astronaut.