Topic: Jared Isaacman put forth for NASA Administrator
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 54415 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-04-2024 10:56 AM
President-designate Donald Trump has named Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn commander Jared Isaacman as his choice to be the next administrator of NASA.
I am delighted to nominate Jared Isaacman, an accomplished business leader, philanthropist, pilot, and astronaut, as Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Jared will drive NASA's mission of discovery and inspiration, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements in space science, technology, and exploration.
Over the past 25 years, as the Founder and CEO of Shift4, Jared has demonstrated exceptional leadership, building a trailblazing global financial technology company. He also co-founded and served as CEO of Draken International, a defense aerospace company, for over a decade, supporting the U.S. Department of Defense, and our Allies. Jared's passion for space, astronaut experience, and dedication to pushing the boundaries of exploration, unlocking the mysteries of the universe, and advancing the new space economy, make him ideally suited to lead NASA into a bold new era.
Congratulations to Jared, his wife Monica, and their children, Mila and Liv!
I am honored to receive President Trump's nomination to serve as the next Administrator of NASA. Having been fortunate to see our amazing planet from space, I am passionate about America leading the most incredible adventure in human history.
On my last mission to space, my crew and I traveled farther from Earth than anyone in over half a century. I can confidently say this second space age has only just begun. Space holds unparalleled potential for breakthroughs in manufacturing, biotechnology, mining, and perhaps even pathways to new sources of energy. There will inevitably be a thriving space economy — one that will create opportunities for countless people to live and work in space. At NASA, we will passionately pursue these possibilities and usher in an era where humanity becomes a true spacefaring civilization.
I was born after the Moon landings; my children were born after the final space shuttle launch. With the support of President Trump, I can promise you this: We will never again lose our ability to journey to the stars and never settle for second place. We will inspire children, yours and mine, to look up and dream of what is possible. Americans will walk on the Moon and Mars and in doing so, we will make life better here on Earth.
It is the honor of a lifetime to serve in this role and to work alongside NASA's extraordinary team to realize our shared dreams of exploration and discovery.
Axman Member
Posts: 733 From: Derbyshire UK Registered: Mar 2023
posted 12-04-2024 11:01 AM
If only. I've been hearing it for over fifty years now. About time to actually deliver.
issman1 Member
Posts: 1163 From: UK Registered: Apr 2005
posted 12-04-2024 11:15 AM
Imho, probably the best nominee for NASA administrator since Daniel Goldin.
MartinAir Member
Posts: 434 From: Registered: Oct 2020
posted 12-04-2024 11:28 AM
Sounds interesting. Bet Elon suggested the nomination to the president elect.
Headshot Member
Posts: 1396 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 12-04-2024 01:18 PM
Agree with Alan's (Axman) post.
p51 Member
Posts: 1790 From: Olympia, WA Registered: Sep 2011
posted 12-04-2024 03:54 PM
That dynamic will be interesting if he gets confirmed. Maybe he'll fly his MIG-29 Fulcrum to the hearings or other events.
The idea of someone who flew to space commercially leading NASA would be interesting to see.
quote:Originally posted by Headshot: Agree with Alan's (Axman) post.
As do I.
MarylandSpace Member
Posts: 1443 From: Registered: Aug 2002
posted 12-04-2024 04:57 PM
An interesting pick.
But space and technology are in his skill sets.
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 518 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 12-04-2024 07:08 PM
Why choose Jared Isaacman as the next NASA Administator instead of Eileen Collins?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 54415 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-04-2024 08:46 PM
When I spoke with Eileen about the premiere of the new documentary about her ("Spacewoman"), I asked her about what her plans for the future are. While I didn't specifically ask about NASA Administrator, here is what she said:
Right now, I'm loving what I'm doing as a professional speaker. I'm spreading the word about the importance of space exploration and trying to get people to get out of their phones and get into books and consider STEM careers. I'm really loving doing that.
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 5449 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-04-2024 08:47 PM
Difficult choices lay ahead for the next administrator in order to re-focus NASA on space exploration, will require re-prioritization and divestment of other distracting efforts competing for resources and attention.
denali414 Member
Posts: 894 From: Raleigh, NC Registered: Aug 2017
posted 12-05-2024 07:33 AM
Very worried this appointment is the first step in the ending of NASA.
Musk is frustrated with all the regulations and slowing down the timeline for getting to Mars. He has stated he will cut and end many departments. Do not like he would be the one deciding with his billionaire friend to end NASA and roll it into SpaceX as a "cost saving measure" and no more regulations to slow Starship and get to Mars, even as he has said "costs lives, which is a risk we all take."
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 54415 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-05-2024 10:09 AM
I don't think there needs to be a concern about Elon Musk or Jared Isaacman wanting to shut down NASA.
Musk has said numerous times that his interests are in delivering people and cargo to other parts of the solar system. He does not want SpaceX to run the settlements, do the research once there or conduct the other types of activities that would fall to NASA and other space organizations.
Musk and Isaacman have spoken favorably about the Hubble and Webb space telescopes, as well as about the interplanetary probes sending back data about the planets. Isaacman, as an avid private pilot, has praised the work NASA does in advancing aeronautical research.
They recognize that NASA is more than just rockets, and while Isaacman, at the direction of the White House, might seek to streamline some of NASA's activities (such as shutting down or changing the work focus of one or more NASA centers), I don't think it is in their plans to see the agency end.
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 5449 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-05-2024 10:13 AM
Or maybe balanced reformations that bring industry best practices to NASA which in conjunction with reduction of the administrative state and improved efficiency will help expedite delivery of mature capabilities.
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 518 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 12-05-2024 01:10 PM
Where did that rumor of Jared Isaacman and Elon Musk wanting to shutdown NASA came from?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 54415 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-05-2024 01:20 PM
It is not so much a rumor as it is/was online chatter and speculation fueled by personal perceptions.
Musk, in his role as co-leader of DOGE, has already vowed to identify $2 trillion in savings from the federal budget, which he said will ensure taxpayer money "is spent in a good way."
Blount raised concerns about this approach. "NASA is already relatively cash-strapped for its various missions. While Musk may provide insights on management and efficiency, his claims of drastic budget reductions do not bode well for an agency that balances human spaceflight, science, and public benefits," he said.
A major opportunity for cost-saving—and a potential conflict of interest for Musk—lies in NASA's costly Space Launch System (SLS), the cornerstone of the Artemis program. Debuting in 2022 with the uncrewed Artemis 1 mission to the moon, the SLS is a single-use rocket that can only launch every two years, with a price tag of around $4.1 billion per launch. In contrast, SpaceX is working to reduce the cost of a single Starship flight to under $10 million.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 54415 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-09-2024 10:48 AM
It is perhaps helpful to keep in mind that DOGE is an advisory board; it has no ability to make changes, only make suggestions, just like any other advisory board (such as the National Space Council).
Some pundits are assuming that the President will follow DOGE's advice, and that may be true, but how Congress will respond or how long such actions will take to enact is yet to be seen.
denali414 Member
Posts: 894 From: Raleigh, NC Registered: Aug 2017
posted 12-15-2024 09:03 AM
Is this correct? Not a good look.
During the Space Force Association’s Spacepower 2024 conference in Orlando, Florida, Isaacman argued that troops in space are "absolutely inevitable."
"If Americans are in low Earth orbit, there’s going to need to be people watching out for them," he said, as quoted by the Independent.
"This is the trajectory that humankind is going to follow," he added. "America is going to lead it and we’re going to need guardians there on the high ground looking out for us."
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 54415 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-15-2024 09:24 AM
From what I can tell from other reporting, yes, Isaacman is quoted accurately. Some context, though:
Isaacman wasn't speaking as (nor did he even mention being the president-elect's choice for) NASA Administrator;
There was no timetable for "inevitable," meaning he could have been speaking about far off in the future, when having military in place is as normal as having other types of professionals serving a settlement.
His comments followed similar sentiments from Space Force leaders over the past year.
MartinAir Member
Posts: 434 From: Registered: Oct 2020
posted 12-15-2024 10:03 AM
Speaking of DOGE, merging Space Force with NASA could save a few bucks too.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 54415 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-15-2024 11:16 AM
The Department of Defense spends close to 14 times the budget of NASA to accomplish its space-related activities annually. By those figures, combining the two would not save any significant amount of money, as the civilian activities' budget is a drop in the bucket compared to the military's allocation.
To say nothing of how incompatible the two organization's priorities are when it comes to operations on and off Earth.
dcfowler1 Member
Posts: 161 From: Eugene, OR Registered: May 2006
posted 12-15-2024 08:23 PM
By law, the DOD and NASA can't be doing each other's jobs. Certainly they cooperate where it makes sense, but the DOD does the warfighting and NASA does the civil exploration.
denali414 Member
Posts: 894 From: Raleigh, NC Registered: Aug 2017
posted 12-16-2024 08:16 AM
Maybe I'm missing the point or not understanding the mission of "for all mankind." We have been in LEO with the ISS since 1998, with international cooperation and a very successful mission.
Why do we now need a military guard system and astronauts "backs"? I always thought with the Outer Space Treaty, it would stay neutral and avoid Earth's wars.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 54415 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-16-2024 08:34 AM
The United States, China, Russia and other players have been researching and developing defensive and offensive space capabilities for decades. The U.S. Space Force was founded in 2019 to consolidate the U.S. military's space activities under one branch, protect the country's interests in space and provide space capabilities to the joint forces.
The Outer Space Treaty calls for the peaceful exploration and use of outer space, but does not preclude nations from protecting their assets.
This is all off-topic, though, to the subject of Jared Isaacman becoming NASA Administrator. His comments were as a private individual addressing a conference specifically about military power in space. He was not speaking about or for NASA. If he is confirmed as the next NASA Administrator, his focus then will be carrying out the goals and mission of the civilian space agency.
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 518 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 12-17-2024 01:37 PM
I wish Jared Isaacman best of luck as NASA's new Administrator in 2025.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 54415 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
NASA updated its website [on Jan. 20] to list Jim Free as acting administrator. Free is the associate administrator and highest-ranking civil servant at the agency. The website also listed several other reshufflings, with Cathy Koerner, the associate administrator for exploration systems development, taking Free’s job as acting administrator on an acting basis. Lori Glaze, Koerner's deputy, moved into the role of acting associate administrator for exploration systems development.
However, in a statement shortly after the inauguration, the White House announced that Janet Petro would serve as acting administrator. Petro is the director of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, having led the center since mid-2021 after more than a decade as deputy center director.
While associate administrators have traditionally filled in as acting administrator, there is no requirement that they do so, and presidents have the ability to appoint other officials to lead the agency on an acting basis.
It was not clear what caused the conflicting public statements.
Update: NASA Headquarters has clarified that "the Trump Administration has named Janet Petro the acting administrator of NASA, effective Monday."
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 518 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 01-21-2025 10:28 AM
How long before Isaacman get confirm as NASA's next administrator?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 54415 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-21-2025 11:27 AM
The U.S. Senate has not yet scheduled a confirmation hearing, so is not known when a vote will be held.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 54415 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-21-2025 11:58 AM
Now former NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has left a letter for his successor:
Glint Member
Posts: 1151 From: New Windsor, Maryland USA Registered: Jan 2004
posted 01-24-2025 10:14 PM
Not new news, but science.org described the nominee this way.
He would replace 82-year-old Bill Nelson, a former astronaut and senator from Florida. "We’ve gone nowhere since Apollo, because we keep changing destinations,” says Clive Neal, a lunar scientist at the University of Notre Dame. He says Isaacman will “have energy, which we haven’t seen in the last 4 years.”
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 54415 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-24-2025 02:04 PM
NASA release
NASA Names Acting Associate Administrator, More Leadership Changes
NASA acting Administrator Janet Petro announced Monday Vanessa Wyche will serve as the acting associate administrator for the agency at NASA Headquarters in Washington, effective immediately. Wyche, who had been the director of NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, is detailed as Petro's senior advisor leading the agency's center directors and mission directorate associate administrators. She will act as the agency's chief operating officer for about 18,000 civil servant employees and an annual budget of more than $25 billion. Stephen Koerner will become the acting center director of NASA Johnson.
The agency also named Jackie Jester as associate administrator for the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs and announced Catherine Koerner, associate administrator for the agency's Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, will retire effective Friday, Feb. 28. Lori Glaze, currently the deputy associate administrator for Exploration Systems Development, will become the mission directorate's acting associate administrator.
"As we continue to advance our mission, it's crucial that we have strong, experienced leaders in place," Petro said. "Vanessa will bring exceptional leadership to NASA's senior ranks, helping guide our workforce toward the opportunities that lie ahead, while Steve will continue to provide steadfast leadership at NASA Johnson. Jackie's return to the agency will ensure we remain closely aligned with national priorities as we work with Congress. Cathy's legacy is one of unwavering dedication to human spaceflight, and we are grateful for her years of service. Lori's leadership will continue to build on that legacy as we push forward in our exploration efforts. These appointments reflect NASA's unwavering commitment to excellence, and I have full confidence that each of these leaders will carry our vision forward with purpose, integrity, and a relentless drive to succeed."
Prior to her new role, Wyche was the director NASA Johnson – home to America's astronaut corps, Mission Control Center, International Space Station, Orion and Gateway Programs, and its more than 11,000 civil service and contractor employees. Her responsibilities included a broad range of human spaceflight activities, including development and operation of human spacecraft, NASA astronaut selection and training, mission control, commercialization of low Earth orbit, and leading NASA Johnson in exploring the Moon and Mars.
During her 35-year career, Wyche has served in several leadership roles, including Johnson's deputy center director, director of Exploration Integration and Science Directorate, flight manager of several Space Shuttle Program missions, and executive officer in the Office of the Administrator. A native of South Carolina, Wyche earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Master of Science in Bioengineering from Clemson University.
As deputy director of NASA Johnson, Stephen Koerner, oversaw strategic workforce planning, serves as the Designated Agency Safety Health Officer, and supported the Johnson center director in mission reviews. Before his appointment in July 2021, Koerner held various leadership roles at NASA Johnson, including director of the Flight Operations Directorate, associate director, chief financial officer, deputy director of flight operations, and deputy director of mission operations.
In her new role as the associate administrator for the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, Jester will direct a staff responsible for managing and coordinating all communication with the U.S. Congress, as well as serve as a senior advisor to agency leaders on legislative matters.
Jester rejoins the agency after serving as the senior director for government affairs at Relativity Space's Washington office where she led policy engagement for the company. Prior to her time with Relativity, she served as a policy advisor at NASA and at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. She has served as a professional staff member for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. She has spent time in state government as the Chief Legislative Aide to a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Jester has significant experience advising on space policy issues, aviation operations and safety policy, and has helped develop numerous pieces of legislation.
With a 34-year career at NASA, Catherine Koerner has been instrumental in leading NASA's Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, overseeing the development of the agency's deep space exploration approach. Previously, she was the deputy associate administrator for the mission directorate. Her extensive career at NASA includes roles such as the Orion program manager, director of the Human Health and Performance Directorate, former NASA flight director, several leadership positions within the International Space Station Program during its assembly phase and helping to foster a commercial space industry in low Earth orbit.
Glaze has a distinguished background in planetary science, previously serving as the director of NASA's Planetary Science Division before joining Explorations Systems Development. Prior to her tenure at NASA Headquarters in Washington, she was the chief of the Planetary Geology, Geophysics and Geochemistry Laboratory at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and the Deputy Director of Goddard's Solar System Exploration Division. She has been a leading advocate for Venus exploration, serving as the principal investigator for the Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging mission. Glaze earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees in Physics from the University of Texas at Arlington and a doctorate in Environmental Science from Lancaster University in the United Kingdom. Her prior experience includes roles at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and at Proxemy Research as Vice President and Senior Research Scientist.ockquote>
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 54415 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-21-2025 04:59 PM
The following letter was sent by 28 former astronauts to the chair and ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on March 14, 2025:
We, the undersigned former NASA Astronauts, write to express our support for the confirmation of Jared Isaacman as the next Administrator of NASA.
Having dedicated our careers and lives to support NASA and space exploration, we are deeply concerned about the Agency's future. It is critical that NASA maintains its position as the preeminent space development organization. Our nation is at a turning point where we face international competition from China, we have the opportunity to promote international cooperation with our partner nations, and we are witnessing radical change in the commercial space sector. The stakes in selecting the next NASA Administrator could not be higher.
We believe that Jared Isaacman is uniquely qualified to lead NASA at this critical juncture. As an entrepreneur, pilot, and having commanded two groundbreaking space missions, he brings credibility and capability to make a difference now. Jared will be able to apply his vision and business acumen to make NASA a continued leader and fulfill its mission of exploration, inspiration, and discovery while expanding commercial opportunities that benefit all Americans. Jared has a genuine passion for space exploration and will bring a renewed energy and sense of purpose to NASA.
NASA has a difficult mission and therefore requires steady leadership. We urge the Senate Commerce Committee to hold Mr. Isaacman's confirmation hearing as soon as practical.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We appreciate your commitment to ensuring NASA has the vision, expertise, and leadership necessary to advance America's space ambitions.
The letter was signed by Robert Cabana, Leroy Chiao, Ken Cockrell, Cady Coleman, Drew Feustel, Jack Fischer, Mike Foreman, Ron Garan, John Grunsfeld, Ken Ham, Brent Jett, Scott Kelly, Shane Kimbrough, Michael Lopez-Alegria, Ed Lu, Leland Melvin, Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, Karen Nyberg, Steve Oswald, William Readdy, Garrett Reisman, Stephen Robinson, Rusty Schweickart, Nicole Stott, Steven Swanson, Jim Voss, Peggy Whitson and George Zamka.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 54415 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-02-2025 07:27 PM
U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation release
Senate Commerce Announces Hearing for NASA, FCC Nominees
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a nominations hearing for Jared Isaacman, nominee to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Olivia Trusty, nominee to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission, at 10:00 AM EST on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
Nominees: Mr. Jared Isaacman, of Pennsylvania, to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Ms. Olivia Trusty, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission
Posts: 54415 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-09-2025 07:40 AM
NASA video
Jared Isaacman is set to participate in his confirmation hearing to become the next NASA administrator. The hearing will take place before Sen. Ted Cruz, and the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the Russell Building in Washington. President Trump formally nominated Isaacman for NASA administrator on Jan. 20, 2025.
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 518 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 04-09-2025 04:59 PM
If Isaacman is confirmed as NASA's Administrator, who will serve as the deputy administrator?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 54415 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-09-2025 05:08 PM
The White House has yet to nominate a candidate for deputy administrator.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 54415 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-09-2025 06:45 PM
Ten astronauts were in attendance for Jared Isaacman's Senate confirmation hearing: the four members of the Artemis II crew and Issacman's six crewmates from Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn. This inspired Senator Ted Cruz, chair of the committee, to comment:
This may be the most badass assemblage we've had at a Senate hearing
(Photos credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls and Jared Isaacman)
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 518 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 04-11-2025 04:16 PM
Will there be any more hearings for Jared Isaacman?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 54415 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-11-2025 04:43 PM
It is expected that the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will vote on Jared Isaacman's confirmation at its next meeting and then, assuming an affirmative outcome, the vote will pass to the full Senate. (It is not known when that vote would occur as of yet.)
posted 12-04-2024 10:56 AM
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