Donald Trump selects billionaire astronaut Jared Isaacman as next NASA chief

US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday nominated billionaire and private astronaut Jared Isaacman as the next NASA chief.

In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: “I am delighted to nominate Jared Isaacman, an accomplished business leader, philanthropist, pilot, and astronaut, as Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).”

“Jared will drive NASA’s mission of discovery and inspiration, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements in Space science, technology, and exploration,” Trump said.

Isaacman is the CEO of payment processing company Shift4 Payments.

He is the first person to perform a private spacewalk and was part of the Polaris program mission. Isaacman has flown to space twice.

Trump said: “Over the past 25 years, as the Founder and CEO of Shift4, Jared has demonstrated exceptional leadership, building a trailblazing global financial technology company.”

“Jared’s passion for Space, astronaut experience, and dedication to pushing the boundaries of exploration, unlocking the mysteries of the universe, and advancing the new Space economy, make him ideally suited to lead NASA into a bold new Era,” Trump said.

After Trump made the announcement, Isaacman felt honoured for his ‘nomination’.

“I am honored to receive President Trump’s @realDonaldTrump nomination to serve as the next Administrator of NASA. Having been fortunate to see our amazing planet from space, I am passionate about America leading the most incredible adventure in human history,” he wrote on X.

He said the space holds ‘unparalleled potential’ for breakthroughs in manufacturing, biotechnology, mining, and perhaps even pathways to new sources of energy.

“There will inevitably be a thriving space economy — one that will create opportunities for countless people to live and work in space. At NASA, we will passionately pursue these possibilities and usher in an era where humanity becomes a true spacefaring civilization,” he said.