Mike Pence touches Nasa equipment right next to 'do not touch' sign

US vice-president pictured with his left hand resting on 'critical space flight hardware' for the Orion programme

Mike Pence has jokingly defended himself after being photographed putting his hand on a piece of Nasa space equipment in contradiction of a "do not touch" sign.

Pence was pictured with his left hand resting on part of a spacecraft-in-the-making called the Orion, inches away from a notice with red lettering telling people not to touch the "critical space flight hardware".