Trump says ‘space is the future’ at unveiling of Space Force flag

Newest branch of US military revealed it at Oval Office ceremony

The official Space Force flag became the first US military flag in 72 years to be unveiled, when it was presented to president Donald Trump in the Oval Office.

On Friday, the president was presented with the military branch’s official flag by the chief master sergeant in the Space Force, Roger Towberman, and general Jay Raymond, head of the Space Command and the Space Force.

The flag was created by the Defence Logistics Agency’s flag room, based in Philadelphia, according to NBC News.

At the ceremony, Mr Trump referenced both Russia and China’s nuclear weapons, and alluded to a new missile developed by the US.

“I call it the super duper missile and I heard the other night, 17 times faster than what they have right now,” he said.

The White House did not immediately respond when asked what weapon Mr Trump was referring to.

The Space Force is officially the sixth branch of the military, and during the unveiling, Mr Trump claimed that the US is further ahead than any other country in that sphere.

“Space is going to be the future, both in terms of defence and offence and so many other things and already what I’m hearing and based on reports, we’re now the leader on space,” he said.

At the ceremony, Mr Raymund explained what the details included in the design of the flag represent for the US.

“The delta in the middle, that’s the symbol that space communities use for years and years and years. The North Star signifies our core value, our guiding light, if you will,” he said.

“And the orbit around the globe signifies the space cape colours that fuel our American way of life,” Mr Raymund added.

In January, Mr Trump revealed the new Space Force logo, that is located on the centre of the flag, but was immediately mocked for its similarities to Star Trek.

George Takei, who played Mr Sulu in the original Star Trek TV series and films, tweeted in response to the president’s reveal: “Ahem. We are expecting some royalties from this.”

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.