President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday his intention to nominate billionaire astronaut and entrepreneur Jared Isaacman as the next Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Isaacman, 41, is the founder and CEO of Shift4, a Pennsylvania-based payment processing company, and a two-time space traveler aboard SpaceX missions. While he has no prior experience in the federal government or NASA, Isaacman’s private sector achievements and space exploration endeavors have propelled him into Trump’s favor for the role.
“I am delighted to nominate Jared Isaacman, an accomplished business leader, philanthropist, pilot, and astronaut, to head NASA,” Trump stated on his Truth Social platform. “Jared will drive NASA’s mission of discovery and inspiration, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements in space science, technology, and exploration.”
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113595378122687080
Trump praised Isaacman for his leadership in advancing aerospace technology through his ventures, including Draken International, a defense aerospace company. Trump emphasized Isaacman’s passion for space and commitment to the burgeoning space economy, calling him “ideally suited to lead NASA into a bold new era.”
Isaacman expressed his gratitude for the nomination, calling it an honor to potentially lead America’s premier space agency. “With the support of President Trump, I can promise you this: We will never again lose our ability to journey to the stars. Americans will walk on the Moon and Mars, and we will make life better here on Earth,” Isaacman said.
Isaacman’s nomination comes as NASA faces a critical juncture in its space exploration efforts, including the Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the Moon and eventually landing on Mars. His confirmation would position him to oversee these missions amid rising competition from China’s rapidly advancing space program.
A business associate of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Isaacman made history as the first non-professional astronaut to fly on SpaceX’s private Polaris Dawn mission in 2023. He also financed and commanded the Inspiration4 mission in 2021, the first all-civilian orbital spaceflight.
If confirmed by the Senate, Isaacman will succeed Bill Nelson, who has served as NASA Administrator since May 2021. Nelson, a former U.S. senator from Florida, played a key role in advancing the Artemis program during his tenure.
Isaacman’s appointment reflects Trump’s vision of bolstering public-private partnerships in space exploration and ensuring American leadership in the new space race.
