Sunday , December 22 2024

Controversy over Trump appointing billionaire businessman who spent money on spacewalk as NASA chief

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Jared Isaacman: US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated billionaire Jared Isaacman, who performed the first private spacewalk from Elon Musk’s SpaceX, as the next NASA chairman in his administration.
Trump’s decision could raise questions about a potential conflict of interest, given Isaacman’s financial ties to Elon Musk. Not only this, Isaacman is one of Trump’s closest advisors. They are also part of a program that uses SpaceX vehicles to conduct private astronaut missions.

Jared Isaacman, 41, CEO and founder of card processing company Shift4Payments, traveled to space with Rival Winners in 2021 and also went to space on a mission in September, where he spent some time testing SpaceX’s new spacewalking suit. Stepped into space.

Trump’s post

If the Senate confirms his appointment, he will replace Bill Nelson, 82, a former Democratic senator from Florida, who was nominated by President Joe Biden. Trump with former Army and Iraq War veteran Daniel P. Driscoll was nominated to serve as U.S. Secretary of the Army.

“I am pleased to nominate Jared Isaacman, an outstanding business leader, philanthropist, pilot, and astronaut, to be Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA),” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Jared will advance NASA’s mission to discover and inspire and lead the way to unprecedented achievements in space science, technology and exploration.”

Isaacman stated his goal

Following his nomination, Isaacman said, “I am honored to be nominated by Trump and excited to lead America in the most incredible adventure in human history.” It is my honor to receive President Trump’s nomination to serve as the next Administrator of NASA. There will certainly be a thriving space economy, creating opportunities for countless people to live and work in space. We will work vigorously on these possibilities at NASA.

Who is Isaacman?

Isaacman’s historic space journey took place under the Polaris program. In which Musk’s company SpaceX helped. Isaacman reportedly spent $200 million of his own money to lead the 2021 SpaceX Inspiration 4 orbital mission, his first foray into space.

Future NASA administrator Jared Isaacman is counted among the richest people in America. Jared Isaacman has an estimated net worth (as of September 2024) of US$1.9 billion. Apart from this, he has other achievements in his name. He has created a world record for circling the world in 60 hours in a light jet aircraft. He performed in air shows. He is a skilled pilot and also holds a license to fly various types of military aircraft.

Isaacman is also a major supporter of SpaceX and Musk, and has often praised the company and his views on X. Isaacman, a Pennsylvania native, started the business in his family’s basement when he was about 16 years old. Which later became Shift4Payments. He is a skilled pilot.