Trump’s NASA Administrator Pick Could Become First To Fly To Space While In Office

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President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman could be the first administrator to fly to space during his tenure. Trump announced the decision earlier today on his social media network Truth Social, and soon afterward, Isaacman accepted his nomination in an X post. Isaacman, who also owns and runs the financial technology firm Shift4, has flown to space twice as part of the Polaris Program and the Inspirtion4 mission. His Polaris Mission, dubbed Polaris Dawn, took to space in September and saw him make history along with SpaceX’s Sarah Gillis by performing the first private spacewalk.

Jared Isaacman Accepts Trump’s Nomination As NASA Administrator

Trump’s social media post announcing his pick was full of praise for Isaacman. The President-elect shared that the billionaire had built a “trailblazing global financial technology company” and supported the Pentagon for years with his defense firm. Isaacman’s “passion” for space makes him an ideal pick, believes Trump, as he added that the new NASA administrator will pave the way “for groundbreaking achievements ” in space and associated domains.

Isaacman was quick to accept Trump’s nomination in an X post. He started out by describing the accomplishments of his Polaris Dawn mission in September. “Space holds unparalleled potential for breakthroughs in manufacturing, biotechnology, mining, and perhaps even pathways to new sources of energy,” believes Isaacman, and noting Trump’s mention of a space economy, he added that the space economy “will create opportunities for countless people to live and work in space.”

Under his leadership, Isaacman is confident that the US will never lose its “ability to journey to the stars and never settle for second place.” He concluded his acceptance post by commenting that 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.”

Isaacman’s Polaris Dawn mission was also a historic one for SpaceX. It saw the firm customize the Crew Dragon for objectives specific to a spacewalk, with features such as allowing the Dragon to operate in a vacuum once the crew opened its hatch to allow Isaacman and Menon to exit the spacecraft. Polaris Dawn was also the highest-altitude human spaceflight since NASA’s Apollo Program, and during their time in space, the astronauts also conducted several experiments on themselves to learn more about the human body.

Polaris Dawn is the first of three missions in the Polaris Program. While the crew for the second mission, apart from Isaacman, has not been announced, SpaceX and Polaris suggested to NASA that they allow them to raise the aging Hubble Telescope’s altitude through private spaceflight. Should the second mission occur during the President-elect’s tenure, and if Isaacman is confirmed by the Senate and completes his tenure as administrator, then he could be the first administrator in NASA history to fly to space while in office.

SpaceX chief Elon Musk also congratulated Isaacman on his selection as NASA administrator. The Polaris Program aims to fly the third mission on SpaceX’s Starship rocket. Starship will not be operational when Trump takes charge in 2025, but it is more likely than not to receive certification during the incoming President’s tenure.