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Donald Trump is clearly trying to shake things up at NASA
- President-elect Donald Trump's choice of billionaire and SpaceX astronaut Jared Isaacman as the new leader of NASA is a signal that Trump wants to shake things up at the agency and push to put humans on the moon. Isaacman has a businessman's mindset and a close relationship with Elon Musk. He hopes NASA can help make humanity 'a true spacefaring civilization' that will make life better here on Earth. Efficiency may be a top priority for Isaacman, which could mean reassessing Artemis, cutting back on NASA's centers and facilities nationwide, and possibly even chopping the SLS in the future. However, Isaacman will have to face the challenges of ongoing technical and programmatic issues, and go through Congress to make big changes.
- Isaacman's enthusiasm for space exploration, together with his experience with cutting-edge technology and commercial space ventures, suggests that he could be a disruptor when it comes to leading NASA. He may also push for getting humans to Mars faster, where he shares the goal with Elon Musk. Congress, however, can be a formidable wall for anyone trying to revolutionize NASA, especially around issues of funding, jobs, and where to prioritize spending. Isaacman's ability to wield power will depend upon how much Trump will back him up.
- Isaacman's nomination, which is subject to Senate confirmation, makes him the first billionaire to lead NASA. He is also a two-time SpaceX astronaut and conducted the first-ever commercial spacewalk in a brand-new SpaceX spacesuit.
- If confirmed, Isaacman will replace NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. Isaacman's appointment is another signal that Trump might make a big push to put humans on the moon and possibly the first humans on Mars. Although NASA is already working on this through the Artemis program, which aims to send astronauts back to the moon for the first time in over 50 years, the program is years behind schedule and billions over budget.
- Isaacman is expected to help speed up the process of deep space exploration and get humans to the moon and Mars faster. That could mean reassessing Artemis entirely or cutting back on some of NASA's centers and facilities nationwide. He might also chop the SLS, which some industry commentators see as a waste of government funds, and rely instead on commercial heavy-lift rockets like Starship.
- Although Isaacman has flown to space in a Crew Dragon spaceship, conducted the first-ever commercial spacewalk in a brand-new SpaceX spacesuit, and is planning to fly on future missions with the company aboard its Starship mega-rocket, he will have to face Congress's lobbying arms of all of those big contractors that fear their status quo might change greatly.
- Trump's choice of Isaacman suggests that he wants to disrupt the agency's status quo and speed up the road to Mars. Isaacman will have to face many challenges of budget approvals and flight schedules while convincing Congress members to push those changes through.
- Isaacman is a smart and capable individual who, with Trump's backing, may be able to wield power in making big changes within NASA.
- Trump has made a bold choice for NASA's new leader. He might push for getting humans to the moon and Mars faster, but he'll have to go through Congress.
- Many industry observers see SLS as a waste of government funds, and Isaacman might cut the SLS entirely and rely instead on Starship .
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