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The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee announced it will vote on December 8 on President Donald Trump’s renewed nomination of private astronaut and tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead NASA. Isaacman, known for his partnership with SpaceX and billionaire Elon Musk on multiple private orbital missions, was initially nominated earlier this year before the White House withdrew the nomination in June following a public rift between Trump and Musk. Trump resubmitted Isaacman’s name last month, prompting a second confirmation hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
Isaacman’s potential appointment comes at a turbulent time for NASA. The agency, which employs roughly 18,000 workers, has been grappling with uncertainty caused by budget-cut proposals and looming program cancellations. Earlier this year, nearly 4,000 NASA employees accepted buyouts offered by the Trump administration in January and April as cost-cutting measures intensified. The instability has raised broader concerns across the U.S. space sector, where major science initiatives face possible delays or termination.
The renewed nomination also follows recent friction at NASA leadership levels. After Isaacman’s withdrawal in June, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was appointed interim NASA administrator in July. Duffy later announced plans to open NASA’s flagship lunar landing contract—currently dominated by SpaceX—to additional competitors. This move sparked a public dispute with Musk, particularly as concerns grow that delays in SpaceX’s Starship program could jeopardize NASA’s schedule for returning astronauts to the Moon under its Artemis program, a mission seen as critical in competing with China’s expanding lunar ambitions.
Alongside Isaacman’s vote, the committee will also consider John DeLeeuw of American Airlines for a position on the National Transportation Safety Board, as well as a new term for current NTSB member Michael Graham.
