New NASA Director Taking Over Agency in Crisis

"But as Musk and Trump's relationship soured, the president threw Isaacman's nomination out in a fit of anger - only to change his mind again mere months later. The reality is that Isaacman is taking over an agency in crisis. NASA is facing an existential moment as the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) aims to deal the agency a devastating and possibly lethal blow, eviscerating dozens of major ongoing and future science missions."

"Now, the office is finally officially filled. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's personal pick for the job, private space tourist and billionaire pilot Jared Isaacman, has officially been confirmed by the Senate with a 67 to 30 vote. For now, following the government shutdown earlier this year, the matter remains up in the air. A short-term resolution was passed on November 12, leaving the government until January 31 to essentially determine the fate of NASA."

NASA lacked a full-time leader for almost a year. Jared Isaacman was confirmed by the Senate 67 to 30 as NASA administrator. Isaacman’s confirmation followed a disrupted nomination process tied to tensions between Elon Musk and President Trump. The agency faces an existential crisis as the White House Office of Management and Budget proposes cuts that could cancel dozens of current and planned science missions. A short-term funding resolution extends decisions until January 31. Trump and Musk have questioned NASA’s Moon program and suggested prioritizing Mars. Isaacman emphasizes commercial partnerships and a market-oriented approach to build a space economy, outlined in Project Athena.

Read at Futurism