NASA’s Future Under Jared Isaacman

If Jared Isaacman becomes the new administrator of NASA, as is likely, the agency may prioritize Mars over the Moon, based on his recent public comments.

Since being named as Trump’s choice to lead the U.S. space agency in early December, Isaacman has been active on social media, but mostly stuck to posting about flying planes, his payments company Shift4, and retweeting images of space without comment.

A Glimpse into NASA’s Future

On February 16, Isaacman offered a glimpse into what NASA could focus on over the next four years. He retweeted a photo of Mars, saying it makes him feel "energized about the future." He believes it’s "so important for people to understand the profound implications of sending humans to another planet."

When I see a picture like this, it is impossible not to feel energized about the future. I think it is so important for people to understand the profound implications of sending humans to another planet:

– We will develop groundbreaking technologies in propulsion, habitability,… https://t.co/vEG2KHU3eS

— Jared Isaacman (@rookisaacman) February 16, 2025

Prioritizing Mars

The post appears to indicate that a crewed trip to Mars will become a key priority for NASA, an agency facing uncertainty since Trump’s election. Major cuts and widespread layoffs are expected, and Boeing, a major NASA contractor, is preparing to lay off hundreds of employees connected to its space division.

NASA’s Artemis program has been beset by numerous delays and cost overruns. Artemis 2, which would see U.S. astronauts orbiting the Moon, has been postponed until April 2026, and the next mission, which would put boots on the lunar surface, won’t take place until at least 2027.

The Future of Artemis

The whole point of Artemis is to develop the requisite technologies, skills, and experience for a future Mars mission. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has complained that Artemis is a distraction and that the wiser approach is to tackle Mars directly. With Isaacman potentially heading NASA and Musk having a direct line to the White House, the future of the Artemis program is now in serious doubt.

A New Direction for NASA

In a 45-minute fireside chat at the Space Force Association’s Spacepower Conference on December 11, Isaacman said it’s necessary for the United States to put humans on the Moon and Mars. He believes the development of tech for those voyages could "shift the entire balance of power here on Earth."

The Importance of Space Exploration

Isaacman elaborated on his X post, saying crewed missions to Mars will contribute to advances in "systems, countermeasures, and pharmaceuticals to sustain human life in extreme conditions." This will ultimately result in economic, technological, and societal benefits "for all humankind." He also mentioned the importance of overcoming the Great Filter, the notion that all intelligent civilizations in the universe get wiped out by catastrophes before they’re able to sufficiently master space travel.

Research and Development

During the conference appearance, Isaacman pointed to a need to beef up research on the effects of space travel on the human body. This field could take on increased importance if Space Force Guardians are to travel to the Moon or Mars in large numbers in the future. He also praised SpaceX and other private companies, including Blue Origin and Rocket Lab, for their contributions to the commercial space industry.

Confirmation Hearing

No date has been set for Isaacman’s confirmation hearing, but given how Trump’s previous picks have sailed through, there’s little to suggest he will face any major opposition. As the billionaire nominee prepares to take the helm of NASA, the agency’s future direction remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Mars is likely to become a top priority.