NASA nominee Isaacman moves to full Senate vote

"Jared Isaacman has cleared another hurdle on his way to becoming the next NASA Administrator after the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation gave the billionaire SpaceX customer the nod. It is the second time Isaacman has reached this point. President Donald Trump abruptly withdrew Isaacman's nomination for the role earlier in 2025, but has since reinstated it. Isaacman appeared before the committee last week,"

"NASA's budget is set to be cut dramatically in Trump's so-called One Big Beautiful Bill. A document penned by Isaacman around the time of his first nomination in April, dubbed "Project Athena," has recently begun circulating, and calls for more "as-a-service"-type contracts amid a remaking of NASA. Isaacman has described the draft plan as "a living document refined through data gathering post-confirmation.""

"Several space industry insiders told The Register there were worries about the future within NASA's centers, but they were prepared to give Isaacman the benefit of the doubt for now. However, one noted "the optimism is colored by the need for survival. Trump is too wild and with ever-changing thoughts to allow any long-term planning." Should he make it behind the administrator's desk this time, Isaacman will inherit an agency facing an uncertain future."

Jared Isaacman cleared a Senate Commerce Committee hurdle toward becoming NASA Administrator after receiving committee approval following a prior withdrawal and reinstatement of his nomination. Isaacman expressed concerns about capability gaps, international competition, and maximizing value from NASA's budget. NASA's budget is slated for significant cuts under the administration's One Big Beautiful Bill. Isaacman's draft "Project Athena" recommends more as-a-service contracts and institutional changes, and he called it "a living document refined through data gathering post-confirmation." A full Senate vote is required; if confirmed, Isaacman would inherit an agency facing uncertainty around Artemis II, lunar lander competition, and center morale.

Read at Theregister