Trump selects Isaacman to be NASA administrator

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Jared Isaacman, a billionaire and commander of two SpaceX missions, to be the next NASA administrator. Trump announced the selection on December 4, stating that Isaacman’s experience and passion for space make him well-suited to lead NASA into a new era of exploration and innovation. Isaacman, who is the founder of Shift4, previously commanded the Inspiration4 mission in 2021 and the Polaris Dawn mission in 2024, which set records for crewed spaceflight. He expressed his honor at the nomination and emphasized the potential for breakthroughs in various fields through a thriving space economy. The nomination requires Senate confirmation, and the announcement surprised many, as previous administrations typically delayed such nominations. The incoming Trump administration has not yet established a transition team for NASA, and there are expectations for a review of NASA's exploration programs. Isaacman’s selection has received positive feedback from former NASA officials and industry leaders, who believe his background in commercial spaceflight aligns with the agency's future direction.

- Jared Isaacman has been nominated by Trump to lead NASA.

- He is known for commanding two SpaceX missions, including the record-setting Polaris Dawn.

- The nomination requires Senate confirmation and has surprised many observers.

- Isaacman emphasizes the potential for a new space economy and breakthroughs in various sectors.

- His selection has garnered support from former NASA officials and commercial space advocates.