The new US President Donald Trump wants private astronaut and billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead NASA. This was reported by TechCrunch.

Over the next four years of President Trump’s term, NASA will have to face a number of important changes and challenges. Among them are the implementation of the Artemis manned spaceflight program, the growth of space commercialization, and the decommissioning of the International Space Station.

It is likely that this will also be the period when SpaceX’s Starship will begin commercial flights and possibly even make its first trip to Mars without a crew.

Isaacman, founder and CEO of the payment platform Shift4, has become one of the leading supporters of commercial spaceflight. As part of his Polaris Program initiative, he has funded three separate orbital missions conducted by SpaceX.

During the last mission, which took place in September 2024, Isaacson and other astronauts made the first-ever private spacewalk using the new SpaceX spacesuits.

The billionaire has repeatedly expressed concern about NASA’s budget problems and possible staff cuts. In his opinion, much of the funding is directed to ineffective or unnecessary projects.

“I am confused how we can fund billions per launch on a disposable mega rocket, fund two lunar landers to prevent hurt feelings but we can’t keep New Horizons staff funded at present levels?” says Isaacman.

Isaacman has emphasized the importance of America remaining competitive in the space arena, especially in its confrontation with China. He has repeatedly drawn attention to China’s achievements in spaceflight, saying last February that the landing of Chinese astronauts on the moon before the United States would be “an immense wake-up call with real domestic and geopolitical ramifications.”

Like other important appointments in the new administration, Isaacman still needs to be confirmed by the Senate.