Article Capitol Hill abuzz with talk of “Athena” plan for NASA (Duffy's "failed strategy")

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"Leader Thune filed cloture on Executive Calendar #593 Jared Isaacman to be Administrator of NASA"

https://x.com/SenateCloakroom/status/199...8963590368

Eric Berger thinks that the Senate confirmation vote might come as early as next Monday or Tuesday.

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Ladies and gentlemen, your new NASA Administrator!

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Jared says:

Well it is official now.

I want to again express my sincere appreciation to President Donald J. Trump for nominating me to lead NASA, and to the United States Senate--and Chairman Cruz - for their diligence and fairness throughout the confirmation process. I am grateful to Secretary Duffy for his leadership as Acting Administrator during this transition, and to my wife Monica, my family, my friend Senator Sheehy and everyone who offered their support along the way.

As I step into this role, I make these personal commitments:

– Mission: I will champion the bold objectives of human space exploration, scientific discovery, and a thriving orbital economy that ensures America’s leadership in space. We will never again give up our capabilities to reach for the stars, and we will never settle for second place.

– Integrity: I will serve responsibly, transparently, and without personal gain, covering every cost I am legally permitted to, and fully adhering to my ethics agreement. My loyalty is to my country, my President, and the space agency that has inspired me since I was a child.

– Urgency: I will intensely focus the agency on achieving the near-impossible, the very reason NASA was established in the first place. We will eliminate the bureaucracy that impedes progress and empower the best and brightest to take ownership, move quickly, accept smart risks, and act with a relentless focus on mission success.

– Inspiration: Every launch, every scientific breakthrough must inspire the next generation to dream bigger, to reach higher, and believe that anything is possible. In addition to my existing philanthropic efforts, I will donate my salary as Administrator to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s Space Camp to help prepare the pioneers of tomorrow.

I am humbled by this opportunity, proud to serve, and ready to work alongside the most talented minds in America as we continue the greatest adventure in human history.

Sincerely,
Jared Isaacman
NASA Administrator

Jared in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building being sworn in. The guy on the left is US District Judge Timothy Kelly who administered the oath, the man and woman in the middle are Donald and Sandra Isaacman, Jared's parents, and Jared on the right.

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Jared arriving at NASA Headquarters for the first time

https://x.com/NASAAdmin/status/2001803331476349305

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Jared says:

Our number one priority: American leadership in the high ground of space.

- return to the Moon
- establish an enduring presence
- realize scientific, economic, national security value
- make investments in nuclear power
- strengthen the orbital economy
- increase the rate of world-changing scientific discovery

All of this is laid out in President Trump’s national space policy, and we’re gonna get it done.

https://x.com/NASAAdmin/status/2004922147500695951

Watch the video in the X post above. Jared talks more about data centers in space and what unlocking the orbital economy means. When he talks about "nuclear power", he doesn't just mean nuclear power reactors on the Moon, he's talking about nuclear-thermal rockets which should be more efficient than chemical fuel/oxidizer rockets. (For deep space use from orbit to the Moon and interplanetary destinations. Using them on launch vehicles from Earth might create too much radioactive contamination.)

Somebody asked what "enduring presence" means in this instance.

And Jared says:

We are going to build a Moon base

https://x.com/NASAAdmin/status/2005017621746590205

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NASA spokeswoman Bethany Stevens says

https://x.com/NASASpox/status/2008654442737136073

"Administrator Isaacman has an extensive background in aviation and has generously made his privately owned F-5 aircraft available for NASA workforce incentive flights, flyovers, participation in America’s 250th birthday celebrations, and to inspire the next generation to take an interest in STEM fields and contribute to the greatest adventure in human history.

All costs associated with these flights are covered by the Administrator, with zero burden to the taxpayer. On his first day, he publicly committed to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, including covering these costs personally, donating his salary to Space Camp, and ensuring NASA delivers on its world-changing mission efficiently and with urgency."

NASA Photos of the plane below, all repainted with a NASA "meatball" logo on it.

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This guy wrote a post addressed to Elon on X about his father who unfortunately is dying of cancer. The son says:

https://x.com/TheBrandonTitus/status/201...0478545997

"My father has always been rocket-obsessed, from my earliest childhood memories of him explaining launches to me and the two of us building / launching Estes Rockets of all sizes. Then you come along and single handedly saved our nations freedom of speech and seared your name in my father’s heart. You’re one of few people he’s ever held in such high regard. When you caught that first booster, he was transfixed, grinning ear-to-ear like I hadn’t seen in years. Heck, He started an X account solely to keep up with and track SpaceX milestones; it’s been his brightest light through the cancer battles. I never thought I’d see him integrate with technology.

His final lap is weighing heavy on me and memories are my top priority. He has 1 desire (His only bucket list item): Seeing a launch live. Starbase in Texas would be perfect—we’re close, and I can get him there. But with no dates on the near calendar, I’d scrape together funds, I’d even take a second mortgage if needed for Florida, it’s that important. I will figure out the finances if there’s any way you could make it personal—a meet-and-greet, or even just a quick video message—it’d be priceless. His birthday is coming up on February 6. I’m not confident hell see another one."

Space-nuts on X have already donated upwards of $4,000 for their trip, an owner of air-b&b's in the Cape Canaveral area say that they can stay for free.

And Jared (the NASA Administrator!!) replied to that post:

This is one reason why everyone loves Jared so much!

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