Trump nominates astronaut and entrepreneur Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator

Donald Trump tapped Jared Isaacman as administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Wednesday.

"Jared will drive NASA’s mission of discovery and inspiration, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements in Space science, technology, and exploration," the president-elect wrote to announce the nomination.

Isaacman founded the payment processing company Shift4 and co-founded Draken International, an aerospace defense company.

He is also a pilot and was an astronaut on private SpaceX missions. The most recent was the first civilian-led space exploration Polaris Down, which completed the first of its three stages. Its photography of the first private flight spacewalk circled the globe. Isaacman funded and commanded both missions.

Thanks to his passion for outer space, he has forged a close relationship with Elon Musk, the next leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and a close advisor to Trump.

"On my last mission to space, my crew and I traveled farther from Earth than anyone in over half a century. I can confidently say this second space age has only just begun," the astronaut wrote in response to the appointment, for which he said he felt "honored."

He also promised that he will work to take advantage of the "thriving space economy" that "inevitably" lies ahead, from manufacturing, biotechnology and mining to the generation of new energy sources.

"With the support of President Trump, I can promise you this: We will never again lose our ability to journey to the stars and never settle for second place," he asserted. "Americans will walk on the Moon and Mars and in doing so, we will make life better here on Earth."