The basics:
- Isaacman, a New Jersey native, sworn in as NASA‘s 15th administrator
- Billionaire entrepreneur founded Shift4, co-founded Draken International
- Has flown to space twice on privately funded SpaceX missions
- Isaacman takes over as NASA prepares for the Artemis II lunar mission
New Jersey-born billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman is officially the new head of National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
The U.S. Senate confirmed the 42-year-old Dec. 17 in a 67-30 vote along bipartisan lines. Isaacman was sworn in the following day during a ceremony at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C.
In a statement, he said is “deeply honored” to become NASA’s 15th administrator.
“NASA’s mission is as imperative and urgent as ever — to push the boundaries of human exploration, ignite the orbital economy, drive scientific discovery, and innovate for the benefit of all of humanity. I look forward to serving under President [Donald] Trump’s leadership and restoring a mission-first culture at NASA — focused on achieving ambitious goals, to return American astronauts to the Moon, establish an enduring presence on the lunar surface, and laying the groundwork to deliver on President Trump’s vision of planting the Stars and Stripes on Mars,” he said.
‘A bold new Era’
After growing up in Union County, Isaacman later attended Ridge High School in Somerset County, but dropped out to start a website design company. He later went on to found payment processing company Shift4 in the basement of his parent’s home. The now-Pennsylvania resident also co-founded defense firm Draken International, which sold to Blackstone in 2019.
Isaacman has not worked at NASA or in the federal government. However, he has close ties to Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX that Trump previously tapped to lead a “Department of Government Efficiency.” Isaacman has flown to space twice on commercial SpaceX missions designed to test technologies and maneuvers for exploration beyond Earth’s orbit.
He funded both of those spaceflights himself for an undisclosed sum.
The confirmation comes a year after Trump announced plans to nominate Isaacman upon returning to the White House.
At the time, Trump described Isaacman as an “accomplished business leader, philanthropist, pilot, and astronaut.” Trump also said he will “drive NASA’s mission of discovery and inspiration, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements in space science, technology, and exploration.”
However, the president later withdrew the nomination in May, citing a “thorough review of prior associations.” Trump did not provide details, but some Republicans had raised concerns that Isaacman previously donated to Democrats, according to NBC News.
The move came amid a public feud with Musk, too.
During the first several months of Trump’s administration, Musk was a regular presence in the Oval Office before the two had a “bitter falling out” over government spending, BBC reported.
Preparing for launch
In November, Trump renominated Isaacman. At the time he said, “Jared’s passion for Space, astronaut experience, and dedication to pushing the boundaries of exploration, unlocking the mysteries of the universe, and advancing the new Space economy, make him ideally suited to lead NASA into a bold new Era.”
Isaacman succeeds Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Since July, Duffy has served as the space agency’s interim administrator.
NBC News noted that the leadership change comes as questions persist over NASA’s future budget and priorities. Like other government agencies, NASA is still reeling from major cuts to funding and personnel as part of the Trump administration‘s efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce.
He also takes the helm just weeks before NASA is expected to launch Artemis II. The space mission will carry four astronauts around the moon and mark the farthest into space humans have traveled since the Apollo program ended in 1972.
