The Senate confirmed billionaire Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator, ending a monthslong nomination saga that included an earlier withdrawn nomination and a November renomination by Donald Trump.The Senate approved him by a 67–30 vote; Isaacman, 42, founded Shift4 Payments and Draken International, has flown twice on private SpaceX missions and in 2024 became the first private astronaut to perform an extravehicular activity.Supporters say his commercial experience can accelerate Moon and Mars plans, while critics warn his close ties to
Elon Musk and
SpaceX contracts risk conflicts of interest as he oversees a contracted
SpaceX lunar lander amid deep budget pressure from Congress; Isaacman told senators he had led two
SpaceX missions because it was the only provider able to fly astronauts and tweeted after confirmation, "The beginning of a journey that never ends," while acting administrator
Sean Duffy posted congratulations and endorsed returning Americans to the Moon in 2028.
Published: 16h | Updated: 12h