New NASA Administrator

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Draken International - Wikipedia

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Jared Isaacman - Wikipedia

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Dang, the NASA administrator is now a few months younger than my old little self.

He is mostly apolitical, an astronaut and a pilot - not bad credentials per se. The elephant in the room however - as usual with NASA budget - is CONGRESS, holding the purse.

PRO - at least he is not an old republican dinosaur with vested interests in SLS or NASA centers. Also, he is not a Trump crony - unlike many recent picks, if not all of them.

CONS - Congress again. Not sure Isaacman has any chance of political survival fighting the SLS beast, with next to zero experience with Congress.

We shall see...
 
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NMaude said:
What is Isaacman's rep?
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> Dropped out of high school
> At 16 founded a billion dollar payments company Harbortouch
> Circumnavigated the globe in a light jet in record time, twice
> Founded a fighter jet pilot training company Draken International, LLC
> Owns the world's largest private fleet of military aircraft.
> Capable of flying multiple high-tech fighter jets.
> Been to orbit twice & raised US$243 millions for cancer research.
> Led the world's first private spacewalk.
> Youngest NASA administrator.
 
So with flying fast-jets and being in orbit twice (I think may've actually heard a little about this guy in 2022) it would seem that he has some qualification to be the NASA administrator.
 
Basically Musk's pick, Lots of potential and promise for big changes that could keep america's leadership in civilian space, still some concerns (I'm most worried about the long term effect - beyond the current term - of both Putting too many of NASA's eggs in the SpaceX basket and focusing too much on Human Spaceflight; also a bit worried about going gung ho with cancellations). But he's still someone who's passionate about space and the pick could be a LOT worse looking at others....
 
spacenews.com

Trump selects Isaacman to be NASA administrator

President-elect Donald Trump has selected Jared Isaacman, a billionaire who has commanded two SpaceX commercial spaceflights, as his choice to be the next administrator of NASA.
spacenews.com spacenews.com

www.nasaspaceflight.com

Jared Isaacman nominated as next NASA administrator - NASASpaceFlight.com

Jared Isaacman has been nominated by President-Elect Donald Trump of the United States of America to become the next NASA Administrator after Senator Bill Nelson's term ends. Isaacman is expected to be sworn in on Jan. 20, 2025, the first day of Trump's upcoming term.
www.nasaspaceflight.com www.nasaspaceflight.com

I imagine he’ll get waved through as I cannot see either party having an issue with him.
 
TheKutKu said:
Basically Musk's pick, Lots of potential and promise for big changes that could keep america's leadership in civilian space, still some concerns (I'm most worried about the long term effect - beyond the current term - of both Putting too many of NASA's eggs in the SpaceX basket and focusing too much on Human Spaceflight; also a bit worried about going gung ho with cancellations).
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he can't unilaterally do that by himself
 
Sad but true--whatever people thought of his politics--Lyndon Johnson worked 22 hrs a day to learn all he could about about each state's representatives and senators--what made them tick--where they would give--and where they wouldn't.

In short--what you really want as a Chief Administrator--is a monster.

I hope Jared at least has some hard bark on him--he's gonna need it.

His aggressor squadron training is actually of more use to him than any spacewalk. In aggressor squadrons--you have to think like the enemy.

So will he.

As much as we haven't gotten along--were I President---I'd actually pick Byeman for Chief Admin. He still sees some use for some expendables--and is very much his own man.

If Jared isn't careful--DC will destroy him. He does seem more Jim Kirk than blue shirt Picard.
 
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publiusr said:
Sad but true--whatever people thought of his politics--Lyndon Johnson worked 22 hrs a day to learn all he could about about each state's representatives and senators--what made them tick--where they would give--and where they wouldn't.

In short--what you really want as a Chief Administrator--is a monster.

I hope Jared at least has some hard bark on him--he's gonna need it.

His aggressor squadron training is actually of more use to him than any spacewalk. In aggressor squadrons--you have to think like the enemy.

So will he.

As much as we haven't gotten along--were I President---I'd actually pick Byeman for Chief Admin. He still sees some use for some expendables--and is very much his own man.

If Jared isn't careful--DC will destroy him. He does seem more Jim Kirk than blue shirt Picard.
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Yeah but he strikes me as far more diplomatic a person than some billionaires I can think of!!!

arstechnica.com

Trump nominates Jared Isaacman to become the next NASA administrator

“We will never again lose our ability to journey to the stars and never settle for second place.”…
arstechnica.com arstechnica.com
 
Jared Isaacman Tapped to be Next NASA Administrator:

Jared Isaacman Tapped to be Next NASA Administrator

Posted: December 4, 2024 2:18 pm ET | Last Updated: December 4, 2024 3:55 pm ET | President-elect Trump has chosen billionaire businessman and private astronaut Jared Isaacman to be the next NASA Administrator. Isaacman is close to Elon Musk and has flown two private astronaut flights on Musk's...
spacepolicyonline.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1864390719084879949
View: https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/1864390719084879949

https://twitter.com/x/status/1864353341737742782
View: https://twitter.com/Erdayastronaut/status/1864353341737742782


Let’s talk about what I think an Isaacman led NASA might look like.

1. I think Polaris 2 could fulfill its true plan of servicing Hubble with a Dragon Capsule.

2. I expect the Artemis program to get some extreme pressure to make significant changes, likely leaning heavier on commercial programs and fixed price contracts. This could mean things like Gateway, SLS and Orion could be under extreme scrutiny and might not all survive.

3. I expect a strong sense of exploration to become the core. This means missions like Dragonfly and other scientific missions that push boundaries and explore new worlds will become a focal point along with humans returning to the moon while also working towards Mars.

4. I foresee some sense of urgency on timelines given Jared’s personal experience with rapid iteration and execution. Jared also is acutely aware of the new space race against China and will want to focus on progress.

5. With all things considered, I think Starship will have little in its way to make progress for Artemis 3 (not that NASA has hindered it prior), but I think now all brakes will be off and the accelerator pinned on that program in particular.

Those are my overall senses having followed Jared’s work for the last 4 years now. I think this will be a very good time for progress.
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martinbayer said:
True, but with Trump anything is possible.
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I doubt that.

NASA is not led by the administrator, because of the way it's funded it's led by the congress. (The congress does not fund NASA; they fund specific NASA programs they like. They like programs that bring money and jobs to their districts.) Unlike Trump's first presidency, the congress is not falling in lockstep behind him, they have already started shooting down their picks. The programs that Jared or Musk would probably most like to cancel are ones that each has strong support from a key republican senator. The incoming senate is split 53-47, where 3 of those republicans already voted once to convict Trump. Trump cannot afford lose the support of a single senator.
 
I said it before: fate of the SLS will be an interesting battle, to say the least.

Old GOP entrenched in Congress, pork barrel
Versus
Trump-MAGA & DOGE-Musk & Isaacman. "Cut the fat !"

In passing, I do hope the two nutcases - Trump & Musk - won't drive that poor Isaacman crazy.

Talk about being trapped between two rocks (Musk & Trump, MAGA & DOGE) and a hard place (SLS GOP supporters, entrenched in Congress).

There will be blood... !

Another interesting pick will be NASA Deputy Administrator - the agency number two. With Isaacman on the pilot-astronaut side, he will need a seasoned veteran to navigate Congress waters. Last time an astronaut was Administrator (Charles Bolden) he got Lori Garver as deputy. She then wrote a pretty interesting book.

...

Starship already has a foot in the Artemis door BUT it remains subordinated to Orion and SLS: it is "just a very very big lunar lander".
Which means that if Orion-SLS are canned, Starship has to takeover the entire mission. Ok, just like Mars plans, but there is a caveat. Many caveats.
-Starship hasn't gone orbital yet;
-Starship hasn't accomplished the many orbital refueling campaign (how many refuelings ?);
-Starship hasn't flown manned;

To me, the early Artemis missions, with the (ackward) SLS-Orion & Starship kludge aren't going away anytime soon. So SLS future is secured at least until Starship proves itself : orbit, manned, refueling... I would hazard two or three years, so Artemis II and III perhaps.

Beyond that (2029 ?) Starship will come on SLS-Orion heels like a truck on a highway.
 
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NMaude said:
So with flying fast-jets and being in orbit twice (I think may've actually heard a little about this guy in 2022) it would seem that he has some qualification to be the NASA administrator.
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No only that
He has connection to aerospace industry, DoD, SpaceX and Elon Musk.
Has excellent manager skills and know how run a company.
and show leadership skill on Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn mission.

I think he perfect Men for NASA Administrator.

That would be something, if Administrator Isaacman inspect ISS personal !
 
Tuna said:
I doubt that.

NASA is not led by the administrator, because of the way it's funded it's led by the congress. (The congress does not fund NASA; they fund specific NASA programs they like. They like programs that bring money and jobs to their districts.) Unlike Trump's first presidency, the congress is not falling in lockstep behind him, they have already started shooting down their picks. The programs that Jared or Musk would probably most like to cancel are ones that each has strong support from a key republican senator. The incoming senate is split 53-47, where 3 of those republicans already voted once to convict Trump. Trump cannot afford lose the support of a single senator.
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I would dearly like for your analysis to be correct, but if Donnie's first term has taught me anything it's that the figure of speech "Trump cannot" is rarely borne out in reality.
 
martinbayer said:
I would dearly like for your analysis to be correct, but if Donnie's first term has taught me anything it's that the figure of speech "Trump cannot" is rarely borne out in reality.
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Also Boeing will fight tooth and nail to keep SLS alive considering their precarious state at the moment.
 
Flyaway said:
Also Boeing will fight tooth and nail to keep SLS alive considering their precarious state at the moment.
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if Boeing survive it own crisis:
with current issue like quality control, unskilled workers on drugs, use of substandard parts,
let to problems with Boeing 737 MAX, 777, 787 Dreamliner, Starliner and the V-22 Osprey
SLS over budget and far behind schedule.
like wise for KC-46A Pegasus and T-7A Red Hawk jet trainer
Failed over 37% of FAA audits,
Worker strikes, Whistleblower dies or get killed, Boeing shares fell from $240 to $150 in this year.

For moment Boeing want to sell ULA, most part of there Aerospace branch including Starliner, (except SLS)
like mention bevor President has some issue with Boeing...
...i would not be surprise that Boeing implode in 2025 !
 
Archibald said:
I said it before: fate of the SLS will be an interesting battle, to say the least.

Old GOP entrenched in Congress, pork barrel
Versus
Trump-MAGA & DOGE-Musk & Isaacman. "Cut the fat !"

Talk about being trapped between two rocks (Musk & Trump, MAGA & DOGE) and a hard place (SLS GOP)
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SLS Red States are all that keep the rest of the fiscal hawks from gutting NASA to begin with.

In general, they believe privatization is the answer to everything (I'm a centrist myself--these days neither Greens/pro-social program Dems nor anti-tax conservatives are friends to civil engineers.. Katrina, etc.)

Once SLS gets the Robespierre treatment--I fully expect a spiteful Britt/Tuberville alliance to side with anti-Elon types on Capitol Hill to say how they don't want their state's tax dollars going to a Texas Billionaire rocket--blah, blah. "Elon believes in NewSpace? Fine, then we don't need ANY funds going to NASA any more."

Many here want NASA to be more like NACA, but even that might not be possible now.

There is a horror movie where there really is no masked slasher --and yet pretty much everyone dies due to bad decisions. I foresee something similar.

That may be by design. Rick Scott wanted to sunset Social Security--a way to defeat it on the sly knowing there aren't enough votes to resurrect it on the other end--we saw that trick with the old "super-majority" deal years ago.

Trump and Jared may be naive enough to think that killing SLS actually frees up money for other projects--but not me.

We may go from a NASA saddled with SLS to no NASA at all...or at least, a far less supported NASA.

This is why I'd have a NASA centers in each state, with politicos cutting everything BUT spaceflight from now on.
 
NMaude said:
What was interesting about her book?
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Probably just the topic:

914WM7YoM5L._SL1500_.jpg
 
I think she is something of a Green--so of course she would take a shot at Red State SLS which represents a BEO focused NASA. Shelby and Mikulski (the Lion of Goddard) I think pretty much left each other's centers alone no matter which way Congress flipped--since it would always be close.

Lori broke the truce with her book, egging on the libertarian faction to do her dirty work...even though she might want to regulate NewSpace same as any of Elon's critics.

In some respects, MSFC and SpaceX are actually on the same side in terms of being outward facing, as it were...I think Lori saw an opportunity to drive a wedge --killing Marshall's rocket so as to prop up Goddard. Had Kamala won--Lori would be chief admin.

Then she would likely side with JPL in trying to keep Starship off Mars under the aegis of planetary protection, and all the New Spacers would howl at being played, with perhaps ASTRA getting all the love.

Lori is the worst thing to happen to NASA BEO hopes. She is, however, brilliant at Clinton era triangulation...she'd make LBJ proud.

I don't think Elon understands this as he isn't particularly wise--just today I read how F-35 (that I have warmed to over time) served Israel rather well--with some push-back against Elon who criticized the program--from today's "Business Insider" article. At least we can sell that overseas now.

I fear Elon and the Donald--even if they mean well--are about to do incalculable damage. I think Bernie Sanders is excited to work with DOGE on defense matters.... Bernie might support a higher NASA budget, but he will want the Pentagon's head on a plate.

There are going to be a lot of strange alliances, with vested interests trying to staunch the bleeding...since DOGE looks to make Game of Thrones "Red Wedding" look like a paper cut.
 
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So what exactly is the deal with Lori Garver? I've only heard her name in passing in various space articles I've read but I don't have any clue about who she is.
 
I think a bit of shaking up is in order. There has grown a stench of an out-of-touch elitism inside our sprawling bureaucracies. It has infected the cliques who control things on both sides of the aisle. As far as the politics of aerospace goes I do wonder if powerful people placed from previous admins won't try and constantly sabotage what might be attempted during this presidency.

I am more concerned with the geopoliticical nightmares we face right now. If we could only meet China and Russia and India and Brazil and others as peers and use space exploration as the prize that motivates us. We need hope. We need to know the dim things we see ahead are not inevitable.
 
NMaude said:
So what exactly is the deal with Lori Garver? I've only heard her name in passing in various space articles I've read but I don't have any clue about who she is.
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She was policy advisor to Obama and Hillary Clinton...the former killed Ares, probably at Lori's request--but the latter seemed to back SLS instead--which was a less alienating path. I wonder if Mikulski or her heirs advised her on not making more enemies. Hillary did well at the polls.

Isn’t she just cute?
https://twitter.com/x/status/1857573935123959983
View: https://x.com/Lori_Garver/status/1857573935123959983


Our own Blackstar (Dwayne Day) should get a medal for what he revealed over at NSF—about her behavior.

Had Kamala picked Kelly--who was pro-space and pro-border...it might have made all the difference. Some politicos thought Biden dropped out too late. I am of the opposite view. Biden should have not just stepped aside, but stepped down a tad later to make oppo research moot and give her a boost without having to talk much about positions...that gives political opponents less time to define you.

Walz was only a tad more savvy--but he swift-boated himself.

A hero astronaut on the other hand...would have been her Elon.

You have to capture peoples' imagination. Musk was a help for Trump--a way to promote less regulation while not mentioning just who is actually on the ticket--Donald who?

It's all Games Theory.


P.S.
With the recent targeting of United Healthcare's CEO...I hope folks keep their wits about them.

Poor Jared... he actually reminds me a little of Will Graham from MANHUNTER.
 
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1865257454331924621
View: https://twitter.com/bloabifi/status/1865257454331924621


It appears Jared has resigned from his position as CEO of shift4
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SHIFT
December 4, 2024
Shift4 Family
Subject: Jared Isaacman's Acceptance of Nomination for NASA Administrator

To My Shift4 Family,

After nearly 26 years leading Shift4, tho time has come for me to embark on a new joumey. I was nominated to lead NASA - a role that reflects my passion for advancing humankind's reach among the stars, unlocking the secrets of the universe, and improving life on Earth along the way.

Throughout my career, I've taken on ambitious endeavors, including going to space, that required a strong management team capable of carrying the vision forward. I am proud to say Shift4's leadership has never been stronger. Taylor Lauber has been at the heart of our evolution, leading our IPO and Strategy, and navigating the opportunities and challenges of being a public company. I am confident that Taylor and the team will continue to execute our ambitious growth plans with precision and passion.

On that note, Shift4 is incredibly well-positioned for the future. Our strategy to win across restaurants, hotels, stadiums, and e-commerce, and do so worldwide is stronger than ever. With a solid financial foundation, low leverage, and an impressive pipeline of opportunities, Shift4 is positioned to deliver exceptional growth for years to come.

I intend to remain CEO until my confirmation and will be fully engaged at our Investor Day in February, where we will share our vision to deliver profitable growth well into the future. I also plan to retain the majority of my equity interest in Shift4, subject to ethics obligations and will move quickly to reduce my voting power to be commensurate with other Class-A shareholders. While I can envision a future where I return, I know the company is in great hands.

Shift4 has been my life's work since I was 16 years old, but it is my time to serve and give back to the nation that enabled me to live the American dream.

With sincere gratitude,

Jared Isaacman
CEO
Shift4
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publiusr said:
Then she would likely side with JPL in trying to keep Starship off Mars under the aegis of planetary protection,
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Huh? what makes you think JPL is against Starship? planetary protection is a NASA headquarters edict and not JPL's
 
publiusr said:
She was policy advisor to Obama and Hillary Clinton...the former killed Ares, probably at Lori's request
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Lori had nothing to do with it.
publiusr said:
Had Kamala picked Kelly--who was pro-space and pro-border...it might have made all the difference. .
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Kelly would not have made any difference. Space has nothing to do with any
publiusr said:
You have to capture peoples' imagination. Musk was a help for Trump--a way to promote less regulation while not mentioning just who is actually on the ticket--Donald who?
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It was more Tesla than SpaceX. The general public doesn't care about space.
 
Byeman said:
Huh? what makes you think JPL is against Starship? planetary protection is a NASA headquarters edict and not JPL's
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That is California after all.

Since you have far better connections in terms of spaceflight acumen—let me run this by you:

The scuttlebutt is that the price of killing SLS is moving Space Command to Alabama—-but why telegraph that move?

Whose interest would such a leak serve?

I would think Trump and Tubberville would want that kept under wraps, correct? Some spook with connections to Pentagon Brass trying to nix this before inauguration? Which means Trump’s second term is *already* being undermined.

Then too, perhaps it was a member of the Alabama delegation that leaked it so that Colorado would vote pro-SLS so as to keep Space Command?

This could go either way.

Both scenarios are distasteful.
 
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publiusr said:
That is California after all.
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Nah, that has nothing to do with it.
publiusr said:
The scuttlebutt is that the price of killing SLS is moving Space Command to Alabama—-but why telegraph that move?
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that is nothing new. It was tried before during the first term and is assumed it would be tried again. it has nothing to do with SLS. it likely will be nixed like the first attempt.
 
View: https://youtu.be/1N2_oa5bXRY


Tim dives into the ripple effects of a new political administration on the future of space exploration. From the surprise appointment of Jared Isaacman as NASA's new administrator to the status of key programs like the Gateway, the SLS, and Starship, Tim unpacks what these shifts could mean for future of spaceflight.

If you want your questions answered, just use hashtag #spacewalkpodcast and we’ll take questions from there each episode, but we’ll also be taking questions from our patron supporters, YouTube members and X subscribers as well.
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