Jared Isaacman participated in the first private spacewalk in history, as part of SpaceX’s Polaris program. Its proximity to Elon Musk’s company could represent a conflict of interest.
Published on 04/12/2024 23:36
Reading time: 2min
The future administration of Donald Trump continues to take shape, not without criticism. The president-elect of the United States, who will take office on January 20, chose billionaire Jared Isaacman, the first private astronaut to have carried out a spacewalk, as the future head of NASA, Wednesday December 4.
“I am pleased to appoint Jared Isaacman, an accomplished business leader, philanthropist, pilot and astronaut, as Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).”wrote Donald Trump on his Truth Social network and on X, owned by the billionaire ally of the ultra-right Elon Musk, who strongly supported the president-elect.
A 41-year-old Pennsylvania native, Jared Isaacman started the company that became Shift4 Payments in his family’s basement when he was 16 years old. A seasoned aviator, he is qualified to fly military aircraft, has participated in air shows and set a world record for a flight around the world.
He is also a strong supporter of SpaceX and Elon Musk, who was tasked by Donald Trump with co-chairing a commission on government efficiency. In September, Jared Isaacman carried out the first private spacewalk in history, as part of SpaceX’s Polaris program.
Appointing a staunch supporter of the private space industry to head the public space administration could therefore pose a conflict of interest. “There will inevitably be a thriving space economy – one that creates the opportunity for countless people to live and work in space. At NASA, we will passionately explore these possibilities and usher in an era where humanity becomes a true space civilization”reacted Jared Isaacman on X.
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