NASA Has a Full-Time Administrator Once Again

Over a year on from his original nomination by President Trump, Jared Isaacman has been confirmed by the US Senate as the new administrator of NASA. He'll take on the role full-time, replacing acting head Sean Duffy, and at 42, he's the youngest person ever to hold the role.

After his original appointment, Isaacman was subject to strict scrutiny of his finances, investment conflicts, ties to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, and lack of political experience to head such an integral US agency at a time of mercurial White House relations. Although some Senators clearly still have concerns over his appropriateness for the role, others felt he had divested and explained himself enough to take on the job.

Regardless of his affiliation with Musk and Trump, though, Isaacman has a tough job ahead of him. NASA faces a slashed budget, major delays to its Artemis program, serious competition from ...