Trump nominated Jared Isaacman to head NASA

US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and private astronaut, to be the next administrator of NASA.

Isaacman, founder and CEO of payments processing company Shift4 Payments, has been active in private space missions, including commanding SpaceX’s Inspiration4 in 2021 and This year’s Polaris Dawn mission marked the first private human spacewalk.

In a message at X, Isaacman expressed his honor at the nomination and emphasized his commitment to advancing U.S. leadership in space exploration. He highlighted the potential of space to revolutionize various industries and envisioned a thriving space economy that would allow people to live and work beyond Earth.

“I’m lucky enough to see our amazing planet from space, and I’m thrilled that America is leading the most incredible adventures in human history.” said Isaacman.

I am pleased to appoint Jared Isaacman, a seasoned business leader, philanthropist, pilot, and astronaut, as Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Jared will lead NASA’s mission of discovery and inspiration, paving the way for…

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2024

“On my last mission into space, my crew and I traveled farther from Earth than anyone in more than half a century. I can confidently say that this second space age has only just begun. Space holds unprecedented potential for breakthroughs in manufacturing, biotechnology, mining, and perhaps even pathways to new energy sources. Inevitably, there will be a thriving space economy that will create opportunities for countless people to live and work in space. At NASA, we will passionately pursue these opportunities and usher in an era when humanity will become a true space civilization,” he said.

“Americans will walk on the moon and on Mars, and in doing so we will make life here on Earth better,” he concluded.

If confirmed, Isaakman will succeed former Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, who has led NASA since 2021.