Jared Isaacman, a 41-year-old billionaire and private astronaut, was appointed head of NASA by Donald Trump. This unusual choice raises questions about potential conflicts of interest.
Jared Isaacman, an unusual choice for NASA
Isaacman, who made his fortune in payments processing, financed private space missions with SpaceX. This appointment, the first of a businessman to head NASA, reflects the growing presence of the commercial sector in space. The US Senate will have to examine his nomination and look into possible conflicts of interest, in particular his investments in SpaceX. Isaacman could favor SpaceX, a supplier for his private missions, while he will be responsible for allocating public funds to the company.
This situation raises questions about the influence of Donald Trump and the impartiality of the Senate. Isaacman’s appointment marks a new era for NASA, where the influence of the private sector is increasingly important. The coming years will be crucial to observe the impact of this appointment on the future of the American space agency.
Midjourney
More info by Olivier Sanguy from La Cité de l’Espace
Canada
