US President-elect Donald Trump has named billionaire tech founder and SpaceX space tourist Jared Isaacman as the next head of NASA. Isaacman, who has visited space twice on board Crew Dragon spacecraft, was initially met with skepticism by agency officials due to his plan to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.
Isaacman’s proposal, which involves visiting the aging space telescope on board a Crew Dragon spacecraft, is considered high-risk and has sparked concerns about potential damage to the telescope. NASA officials had previously deemed the mission too risky, citing potential risks such as premature loss of science and technology challenges.
However, Isaacman maintains that time is running out to fix Hubble’s failing gyroscopes, which are essential for maintaining its orbit. As the new head of NASA, Isaacman will likely have more influence over the agency’s decisions, but it remains unclear whether Congress will support funding for such a mission.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Hubble repairs, Isaacman has expressed his commitment to advancing space exploration and establishing a human presence on Mars. He believes that space travel will enable new scientific discoveries, inspire future generations, and pave the way for permanent settlements on the Moon and Mars.
Source: https://futurism.com/jared-isaacman-head-nasa-history