The U.S. Senate has confirmed Jared Isaacman, a billionaire investor, as the new NASA administrator after a nomination process that lasted nearly a year.
On Wednesday, 17 Dec 2025 GMT+7, the U.S. Senate approved Jared Isaacman, a billionaire investor, to serve as the head of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), ending a complicated nomination process that saw Donald Trump initially nominate him, withdraw the nomination, and then renominate him.
Isaacman, 42, is an amateur jet pilot who made history as the first non-professional astronaut to perform a spacewalk, and he is the first NASA administrator in decades to be appointed directly from the private sector.
Many observers believe Isaacman's success or failure as NASA director will hinge on one key test: whether the U.S. can return humans to the Moon before China does.
Trump has clearly stated his goal for the U.S. to establish a permanent base on the Moon to facilitate resource extraction and serve as a crucial launch point for future Mars missions.
Meanwhile, the Senate confirmed Isaacman's appointment with an overwhelming vote of 67 to 30. He will succeed Sean Duffy, the Secretary of Transportation, who has served as acting NASA administrator since July.
Trump originally announced his intention to nominate Isaacman in December 2024 but withdrew the nomination in May amid conflicts with Elon Musk, Isaacman's ally, citing the need for thorough scrutiny of past associations.
Musk, one of Trump's largest political donors and CEO of SpaceX, had frequently been seen alongside Trump in the Oval Office, but the two clashed sharply over government spending issues.
However, in November, Trump renominated Isaacman. During recent confirmation hearings, Isaacman expressed readiness to undertake Trump's lunar mining mission as nations compete for lunar surface resources.
"This is not a time for hesitation but a time for action, because if we fall behind or make mistakes, we may never catch up, and the consequences could shift global power," Isaacman told the Senate members.
Isaacman sees increasing private sector competition as the key to winning the space race.
Yet, his openness to commercial competition could cause conflicts with Musk. Just last week, Isaacman praised awarding a major contract to Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin, a key competitor to Musk's SpaceX.
He also proposed that NASA strengthen partnerships with universities and educational institutions, positioning the agency as a "multiplier of scientific potential" and pledging to do everything possible to advance innovation, especially "if we are nearing something truly extraordinary."
Follow international news:https://www.thairath.co.th/news/foreign
Source:bbc