NASA finally—and we really do mean it this time—has a full-time leader

Jared Isaacman, administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration nominee for US President Donald Trump, during a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, DC, on December 3, 2025. Credit: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Jared Isaacman, a pilot and financial tech billionaire, has commanded two groundbreaking spaceflights, including leading the first private spacewalk.

But his most remarkable flying has occurred over the last year. And on Wednesday, he stuck the landing by earning formal Senate approval to become NASA’s 15th administrator.

With a final tally of 67 to 30, Wednesday’s Senate confirmation came 377 days after President Trump first nominated Isaacman to serve as NASA administrator. Since that time, Isaacman had to navigate the following issues:

• Concerns about ties to SpaceX founder Elon Musk, as Isaacman purchased both Dragon flights from the company
• Pressure from Congress about Isaacman’s willingness to stick ...