President-Elect Donald Trump has announced his pick for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) administration, selecting Jared Isaacman as the new administrator.
Isaacman’s background in space travel includes being the commander of SpaceX’s Inspiration4 mission, which was the first all-civilian crew to journey into space in 2021. He also has a strong connection to Huntsville, Alabama, where he previously attended Aviation Challenge and is an inductee into the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Space Camp Hall of Fame.
In 2022, Isaacman donated $10 million to build a new Space Camp facility at the center, which will feature a 40,000-square-foot hanger-style building. The facility was dedicated during its 40th-anniversary celebration on mission training floor, where Trump made the announcement.
Isaacman has expressed his enthusiasm for space exploration and workforce development, highlighting the importance of preparing the next generation of astronauts. As CEO of Shift4 credit card-processing company, he brings a unique blend of technical expertise and leadership experience to the role.
Trump praised Isaacman’s passion and dedication to pushing the boundaries of space travel, stating that he is “ideally suited” to lead NASA into a bold new era. The announcement marks a significant shift in NASA’s leadership, with Isaacman set to replace the current administrator.
Source: https://whnt.com/news/huntsville/tech-billionaire-with-ties-to-rocket-city-nominated-to-lead-nasa