President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to run for office on Wednesday. Jared Isaacmanthe online payments billionaire and the first private astronaut to ever perform a spacewalk, like the next NASA administrator.
The move could raise questions about possible conflicts of interest, given Isaacman’s extensive financial ties to Elon Musk, who is set to co-chair a government commission on efficiency and is one of Trump’s closest advisors.
Isaacman, 41, founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments, has become a leading figure in commercial spaceflight through his high-profile collaborations with Musk’s SpaceX.
His accomplishments include stepping out of a Crew Dragon to look down at Earth from the void of space, while holding the exterior of the spacecraft, in September.
“I am pleased to nominate Jared Isaacman, an accomplished business leader, philanthropist, pilot and astronaut, to serve as Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA),” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Jared will lead NASA’s mission of discovery and inspiration, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements in space science, technology and exploration.”
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
The historic spacewalk took place under the Polaris Programa collaboration between Isaacman and SpaceX that is expected to include three missions in total.
Financial terms of the partnership remain secret, but Isaacman reportedly invested $200 million of his own money to lead the 2021 all-civilian SpaceX Inspiration4 orbital mission, its first foray into space.
He is also a strong supporter of SpaceX and Musk, frequently praising the company and its vision on the X platform.
“There will inevitably be a thriving space economy, one that will create opportunities for countless people to live and work in space. » Isaacman said in a message after Trump’s announcement.
“At NASA, we will passionately pursue these possibilities.”
Isaacman, a Pennsylvania native, founded the company that became Shift4 Payments from his family’s basement at just 16 years old.
An experienced aviator, he is qualified to fly military aircraft, has participated in air shows and set a world record for a round-the-world flight.