Billionaire space tourist inherits troubled agency facing budget chaos, workforce cuts, and a Moon race against China

NASA has a new administrator. Billionaire and space tourist Jared Isaacman was confirmed by the US Senate by a vote of 67 to 30.

Isaacman's path to the role was turbulent. Nominated by President Donald Trump in January, the nomination was abruptly cancelled in May after Trump fell out with Elon Musk - Isaacman was a SpaceX customer - and reinstated in November.

He inherits a troubled agency still reeling from a year of budget chaos that threatened major programs, though advocacy and congressional action helped save or restore funding for many missions that looked set for the axe.

Observers have welcomed Isaacman's arrival. In a statement, the Planetary Society said: "After nearly a year of historic disruptions to the agency's workforce, facilities, and budget, Mr Isaacman has the opportunity to stabilize and reinvigorate the US space program.

"Congress is on a path to provide Mr Isaacman with a ...