Jared Isaacman - Next Administrator of NASA

[Russ35]

Jared has received President Trump’s nomination to serve as the next Administrator of NASA.

He financed the 2 private SpacesX missions Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn.

Could that lead to Hubble getting an extended life, as didn't he say he was prepared to pay for a servicing mission

[Eric Mc]

Trump, for all his faults, has actually been quite good at appointing NASA administrators. His previous appointee, Jim Bridenstein, was very good, in my opinion. I was hoping he'd stay on during the Biden administration.

[durbster]

Seems to be generally well received as far as my reading goes.

I assume this is extremely beneficial to SpaceX too, given the way Trump works?

[Flooble]

I feel like it could be 50/50 for SpaceX

A private-sector leader of NASA who will be less inclined to tolerate bureaucracy could be good.

But Isaacman will no longer be able to push forward his private spaceflight ambitions (he'll have to put things in trust, I believe).

So SpaceX will have a friendlier head of NASA, but will have lost a really good customer. Unless Isaacman is able to appoint someone else to run his private missions for him?

[Ian974]

While the optics of it may look a bit "cronyism", I'd agree it does appear a sensible choice.
He's always come across well in int interviews and documentaries, likely has experience with both the red tape and nuts and bolts side of spaceflight and has been pushing the boat out in terms of private exploration.
So long as it's not a "throw all the work to spacex by default" approach (they're more than capable of doing/ winning work on merit) I'd like to think he should do well.

[Beati Dogu]

It wouldn’t surprise me if Elon put Jared’s name forward. They obviously have a good professional relationship. He’s been a real plus for SpaceX and Jared was pencilled in to fly on Starship when the time came for manned flights.

[Russ35]

The White House has/are withdrawing their nomination for Isaacman

[Flooble]

Do we think the withdrawal originated in the White House, or is that Boeing lobbyists getting their way?

With Musk also stepping back (albeit someone mentioned he probably had to, time wise), this seems like the Trump Administration is parting ways with the Musk empire and associates?

[Eric Mc]

Flooble said:

Do we think the withdrawal originated in the White House, or is that Boeing lobbyists getting their way?

With Musk also stepping back (albeit someone mentioned he probably had to, time wise), this seems like the Trump Administration is parting ways with the Musk empire and associates?

That's what I think. Isaacman was Musk's choice.

The way things are going, Trump may very well wreck NASA.

[Beati Dogu]

He didn’t the last time. Bridenstein did a decent job.

[Eric Mc]

Agreed. And I also think Isaacman was a good choice too.

This Trump administration is a very different animal to the one we had in 2016-2020.

[vaud]

Maybe Musk will step in...

[Eric Mc]

Anything is possible with this crowd. However, I think he is now a "persona non gratis" with the Trump administration.

[dukeboy749r]

Former USAF Lt General Steve Kwast now (seemingly) in line for the role

[Eric Mc]

vaud said:

Maybe Musk will step in...

I think my comment about Musk being a total outsider (and possibly perceived as now an enemy of Trump) was verified last night.

[Simpo Two]

Eric old chap, this is your next career beckoning! Call the White House now!

[Eric Mc]

I wouldn't walk one milimetre to have anything to do with this administration.

[Simpo Two]

And to think you could have helped get the first man on Mars. Ah well, you had your chance

[Eric Mc]

I know. I'm very good at letting opportunities pass me by. I was looking forward to being the first Irishman on the moon.