The Senate Commerce Committee late last week approved by a 19-to-9 vote the nomination of Jared Isaacman to be NASA administrator. This approval clears the nomination for full Senate consideration.
Both committee chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and ranking member Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) voted in favor of the nomination. Cruz called him a “successful entrepreneur with a bold boundary-pushing vision for space exploration,” while Cantwell also is backing the nomination. “He comes before us with a wealth of business experience and space experience. I do think that…at this point in time—a commitment to keeping the moon mission is the key requirement that we have to have in this position,” she said. Cantwell, however, also expressed reservations about proposed budget cuts at NASA.
Isaacman has garnered support for the role in the business aviation community. NBAA wrote the committee, saying his “experience at the intersection of aviation, space, and technology will be invaluable in supporting NASA’s mission and advancing the aerospace sector.”
Isaacman founded payment solutions provider Shift4 and defense company Draken International, but is best known for his role as the commander of Inspiration4, the first all-civilian mission to orbit the Earth.
“As a renowned civilian astronaut, accomplished aviator, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Mr. Isaacman is an aerospace trailblazer,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. NBAA recognized Isaacman in 2023 with its Meritorious Service to Aviation Award.