The US Senate on Wednesday approved President Donald Trump’s re-nomination of billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator, making him the first person from outside government to lead
the space agency.
Isaacman, who is backed by SpaceX founder Elon Musk, takes charge at a sensitive moment for NASA, which is facing proposed budget cuts alongside renewed political pressure to return American astronauts to the Moon and eventually push on to Mars. A payments industry entrepreneur by background, Isaacman made his fortune in online payment processing and is known for his personal passion for space exploration.
The Trump administration has made clear that it wants to accelerate a manned US mission to the Moon in a bid to outpace China’s lunar ambitions.
“America will return to the Moon before our great rival, and we will establish an enduring presence to understand and realise the scientific, economic and national security value of the lunar surface,” Isaacman said during his second confirmation hearing in December.
He also pledged to ensure the success of NASA’s Artemis programme, which was launched in 2017 during Trump’s first term and aims to establish a sustained US presence on the Moon.
Musk had actively lobbied for Isaacman’s appointment, and the nomination reflected Trump’s often shifting relationship with the SpaceX chief, who has previously expressed scepticism about prioritising a return to the Moon over a direct push to Mars. While the administration had earlier signalled openness to revising Artemis in favour of Mars-focused missions, that approach now appears to be receding.
Isaacman has since stressed that a return to the Moon is the immediate priority.
The Artemis programme, however, has been hit by repeated delays. Experts have warned that the lunar lander being developed by SpaceX may not be ready within the planned timelines.
Isaacman has flown twice on SpaceX missions and in 2024 became the first private astronaut to conduct a spacewalk.
Trump first nominated Isaacman after winning the 2024 election but withdrew the nomination in April 2025 before putting his name forward again in November.
