Jared Isakuman, a billionaire and two-time traveler to space, was able to quickly attract full Senate attention with President Donald Trump’s appointment to become NASA’s deputy chief.
Isaac Man testified before the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on questions from Republicans and Democrats on April 9th, with written responses made public on Thursday.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas and committee chair, set up a 10am session Wednesday, during which members were able to vote for Isakuman’s appointment and send it to the Senate floor for consideration.
Members on both sides of the passage raised concerns, particularly regarding proposals for budget cuts for the science mission, calling for Isakuman a commitment to prioritizing the moon over Mars.
His answers have been toeed on several issues, including how SpaceX founder Elon Musk was involved in Trump’s decision to nominate Isaacman.
Isaacman has flew twice as a SpaceX customer. The first was in 2021 on Inspiration 4 missions, which was the first all Civilian Orbital Spaceflight. Last year he took part in the Polaris Dawn mission, where he and SpaceX employees played their first commercial spacecraft.
The entrepreneur has won credit card processing company Fortune Founding Shift4. He then founded Lakeland-based Aerospace Company Draken, where he helped train fighter pilots.
He leaned over those 26 years of experience when he outlined what someone like him, who is not a politician, could bring to NASA.
“What I’ve learned is that the results aren’t from slogans or slide decks. They come from the leadership that exists, are practical and mercilessly focused on mission execution,” he answered a question from Senator Gary Peters, Senator D-Michigan, about the costs and delays of the Artemis program. “NASA knows this better than anyone else. It simply restores its mission-first culture based on historical achievements.”
He hampered his intentions to improve program management and speed up decision-making while being accountable to vendors.
“When confirmed, I’ll roll up my sleeves and get into the trench with my team and lead the transformation of cultural and program management,” he said. “We’re going to look closely at the real issues (both internal and external) that slow progress and put our timeline and budget at risk.”
A major focus for several senators is that Trump’s budget is trying to cut NASA’s nearly $7.6 billion budget for space science in almost half.
Isaacman is confident that he wants to fund existing programs such as Hubble, James Webb and Chandra Space Telescopes.
“If confirmed, I advocate for strong investments in space science through space science, planetary science, geoscience, lunar science, heliophysique and as much funding as the government can reasonably allocate,” he said. “We believe that whenever possible we need to amplify these efforts through partnerships with international partners, commercial industry and academia.”
He also responded to questions from Senator Brian Schatz of D-Hawaii, and expressed his commitment to the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which has not yet been announced.
“As far as I know, the Nancy Grace Rome space telescope is nearing completion, and remains on schedule and within budget. Unfortunately, this is rare for the agency’s flagship program,” he said. “I don’t know why it should be cancelled and will support its completion and successful development.”
Millionaires who look beyond NASA and SpaceX to lead NASA during Daytona’s Embry-Riddle Grad Speech
The Trump administration’s push to stop funding for space science comes as several key staff members, including the agency’s chief scientists and chief engineers, have been fired.
“A roughly 50% reduction to NASA’s scientific budget doesn’t seem to be the best result,” writes Isaacman, responding to a question from Sen. Maria Cantwell of D-Washington, who was concerned about Doge-type layoffs.
He also said he will look into their termination as well as the termination of the agency’s chief economist, especially since he needs such help to achieve NASA’s plans.
When Isaacman was forced upon Cruz about how NASA was trying to support NASA’s goal of fostering a strong low-terrestrial economy, he said he wanted to understand the agency’s current resources and internal capabilities.
“I know that certain economic firms and roles have recently been resolved, and I want to review the rationale and determine whether to restore or replenish that expertise,” he said.
A major driving force from the senators was whether Isaacman would prioritize the president’s desire to put humans on Mars over his current plan for Artemis to return them to the moon.
“I am committed to following the law. As a lifelong space enthusiast, I only want to see the lunar operations become continuous, lasting and routine,” he said. “That being said, maintaining American leadership in space requires flexible policies that ensure clear scientific, economic and strategic values for American taxpayers and work with Congress to adapt to the ever-changing geopolitical landscape.”
