Wealthy businessman Jared Isaacman has been confirmed as the new administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, concluding an unusual confirmation journey where Trump nominated him, pulled the nomination, and then submitted his name once more.
Isaacman, an private pilot who was the first civilian to undertake a spacewalk, is also the first agency head in a generation to come directly from outside government.
For numerous observers, the legacy of his leadership will be judged on one key benchmark: if NASA can return humans to the lunar surface before the Chinese space program.
The President has emphasized a desire for the US to establish a lasting moon outpost, both to allow for harvesting materials and to function as a stepping stone for missions to Mars.
On This week, the Senate approved his appointment with a 67-30 vote.
The President initially pulled the nomination in the spring, referencing a "thorough review of prior associations".
At the time, the president was openly clashing with the SpaceX CEO, one of his major contributors, with whom the nominee has professional ties.
Isaacman has stated he is now aligned with Trump's mission to mine the moon, placing him in disagreement with Elon Musk, who has said that lunar missions is a distraction from the goal of travelling to Mars.
In the current global space race, world powers are competing to exploit the lunar surface.
“This is not the time for hesitation but a time for progress because if we lag, if we make a mistake, we may not recover, and the consequences could alter the global dynamics here on our planet,” he told the Senate committee earlier this month.
The private sector veteran sees introducing more industry players as crucial for achieving those targets, according to a recently leaked document outlining his plan for the agency.
In his testimony, he supported the strategy, which he developed when he was originally put forward, but noted it was a developing document.
His openness to rivalry could also create a conflict with SpaceX. Recently, he commended the granting of a major contract to Blue Origin, which is one of the main challengers of SpaceX.
In the leaked plan, he recommended NASA should expand collaboration with universities and academic institutions, positioning the agency as a "catalyst for science".
He pointed to the planned deployment of the Roman Telescope as a cornerstone project.
"Should we be on the verge of something extraordinary - like deploying the Roman Telescope - I will leave no stone unturned to see it launched, even using my own resources if that's what it takes to achieve the discoveries," he remarked.
According to estimates, his fortune is valued at around $1.2bn, accumulated through his payment processing company and the divestment of his firm that provided flight training and operated a collection of military jets.
The position of agency chief will be his maiden role in politics, a contrast to the previous two appointees appointed as head of the agency.
He will take over from Sean Duffy, who has been the acting administrator since the summer.
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