“ US President Donald Trump has renominated Jared Isaacman – a pilot, astronaut and ally of Elon Musk – to the post of NASA administrator, five months after withdrawing his nomination. Source: Reuters Details: Isaacman’s return to potentially lead the US space agency comes at a time of considerable turbulence for both NASA itself and its key contractors. Isaacman’s previous nomination, on the recommendation of Elon Musk back in December 2024, was unexpectedly withdrawn at the end of May amid a high-profile conflict between the president and the founder of SpaceX. After that, the agency was temporarily headed by the head of the Ministry of Transport, Sean Duffy, which only deepened the crisis. In recent months, NASA has been in a state of uncertainty, with 18,000 employees facing the threat of layoffs and significant budget cuts that could lead to the cancellation of dozens of science programs. According to trade unions, almost 4,000 employees of the agency have already taken advantage of the share buyback offer and left their positions. In announcing his decision, Trump praised Isaacman’s candidacy. “Tonight, I am pleased to nominate Jared Isaacman, a seasoned businessman, philanthropist, pilot and astronaut, to the position of NASA Administrator…His passion for space, experience as an astronaut, and dedication to expanding the frontiers of discovery make him the perfect candidate,” the president wrote on social media. Now the nomination must be approved by the Senate, where the Republicans have a majority. Isaacman is a well-known proponent of NASA working more closely with the private sector, especially SpaceX. During previous Senate hearings, he said he supports the Artemis program (returning Americans to the moon by 2027) and considers it a “scientific, economic and security necessity” before preparing for a mission to Mars. He also supports the continuation of the International Space Station and the development of the “orbital economy”, in which the state cooperates with private companies.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Jared Isaacman. Photo: Getty Images Source: Reuters
Details: Isaacman’s return to potential leadership of the US space agency comes at a time of considerable turbulence for both NASA itself and its key contractors.
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Isaacman’s previous nomination, on the recommendation of Elon Musk back in December 2024, was unexpectedly withdrawn at the end of May amid a high-profile conflict between the president and the founder of SpaceX. After that, the agency was temporarily headed by the head of the Ministry of Transport, Sean Duffy, which only deepened the crisis.
In recent months, NASA has been in a state of uncertainty, with 18,000 employees facing the threat of layoffs and significant budget cuts that could lead to the cancellation of dozens of science programs. According to trade unions, almost 4,000 employees of the agency have already taken advantage of the share buyback offer and left their positions.
In announcing his decision, Trump praised Isaacman’s candidacy.
“Tonight, I am pleased to nominate Jared Isaacman, a seasoned businessman, philanthropist, pilot and astronaut, to the position of NASA Administrator…His passion for space, experience as an astronaut, and dedication to expanding the frontiers of discovery make him the perfect candidate,” the president wrote on social media.
Now the nomination must be approved by the Senate, where the Republicans have a majority.
Isaacman is a well-known advocate of NASA working more closely with the private sector, especially SpaceX. During previous Senate hearings, he said he supports the Artemis program (returning Americans to the moon by 2027) and considers it a “scientific, economic and security necessity” before preparing for a mission to Mars.
He also supports the continuation of the International Space Station and the development of the “orbital economy”, in which the state cooperates with private companies.