"A leaked 62-page manifesto for the future of NASA, dubbed "Project Athena," is making waves in Washington, DC. The document, which was obtained by Politico and Ars Technica this week, was drafted by former NASA administrator nominee and billionaire SpaceX tourist Jared Isaacman earlier this year. It suggests making sweeping changes to the space agency - by tripling down on its ties to the private sector and running it "more like a business," per Politico - that are stirring serious concerns among NASA insiders."
"Isaacman, who was handpicked by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, was initially the clear frontrunner for the position of NASA administrator. He gained substantial support in Congress for his nomination, despite possible conflicts of interest due to his close ties to SpaceX. However, in late May, he was kicked to the curb by president Trump, closely following a major falling out between him and Musk."
A 62-page leaked manifesto called Project Athena proposes sweeping changes to NASA, emphasizing private-sector partnerships and operating the agency more like a business. The plan was drafted earlier this year by Jared Isaacman, a billionaire and former NASA administrator nominee with close SpaceX ties. The document has generated concern among NASA insiders and created political controversy on Capitol Hill by highlighting differences between the White House and Congress over NASA's direction. The manifesto could complicate Isaacman’s prospects for re-nomination while also serving as leverage for interim administrator Sean Duffy. The situation has left NASA without a long-term leader nearly ten months into the administration.
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