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

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”.

The image of Pence looking like he is communing with the Orion set Twitter alight and led to comparisons with US president Donald Trump, whose own tactile tendencies have gotten him into trouble.

… as well as some fast-turnaround Photoshopping.

One user pointed out a technicality of punctuation:

The American vice-president was quick to attempt to turn the narrative in his favour, joking that Marco Rubio, also present during the tour of Nasa Cape Canaveral in Florida, had “dared me to do it”.

He got even more into the spirit and booted up Photoshop himself:

Marco Rubio continued the joke:

The final word came from Nasa, who said that, contrary to the sign, it was “OK” to touch the panel. Apparently they were going to “clean it anyway”.