A favorite moment in life reoccurs every time a new issue of Aviation Week & Space Technology arrives at Aerospace Perceptions headquarters. It’s an indispensable publication for anyone who follows or is involved in the realms of commercial or military aviation and spaceflight.
This year, though, there has been an unusual aspect to reading some of the magazine’s most prominent content. I’ve found myself often reacting to an article with, “That’s not going to happen,” or “That didn’t happen,” or “That will never happen.”
This unfortunate development is not the result of any flaw in the AW&ST approach to journalism; rather, it’s the fact that much of what they cover is now governed by the whims of a certain president for whom “consistent policy” is not even a rumor. It must be frustrating writing an article describing in detail the complicated funding of an aircraft or a complex plan of operations, only to see the premise totally disrupted as the ink hits the page (or the electrons or pixels react online, as the case may be).
I suppose such things are to be expected when the core United States institutions have been packed up into clown cars of incompetence driven by the likes of people uniquely unqualified for the positions they hold.
All of which makes the contrast startling when a nomination of actual competence appears to be headed for confirmation. Such was the case with Jared Isaacman, who came this-close to becoming NASA Administrator in the current Trump regime.
What’s in your garage? Jared Isaacman with his MiG-29. Image: twz.com
Unlike many recent presidential appointees, Isaacman boasted a resume that had more achievements than mere Fox News appearances. True, he is a billionaire who navigated trends and technology in amassing a fortune through a complex payments-processing entity, but he actually has experience in realms related to NASA and aviation. He is certified to fly various military jet aircraft, with over 7000 hours of flight time. He founded Draken International, which provides adversary training for United States military aviators. And perhaps most seen by the public eye, he spent more than a week in space on two privately funded SpaceX flights.
Jared Isaacman has logged over a week in space over two SpaceX missions. Image: SpaceX
During his Senate confirmation process, Isaacman came across as thoughtful and with an innovator’s interest of improving the operations of the nation’s space agency – and not by wildly chopping at administrative structures like Elon Musk did with DOGE.
Of course, Isaacman and Musk are not strangers. So, when Trump suddenly rescinded Isaacman’s NASA nomination on May 30 on the verge of its official approval, it appeared to be guilt by association. Musk had fallen from favor and the long-anticipated breakup between him and the president made Isaacson collateral damage – public excuses about perceived political missteps to the contrary. Isaacson maintains he and Musk are mere professional associates rather than close allies or friends.
For now, like many agencies under Trump’s leadership, NASA is temporarily headed by an acting administrator, Janet Petro. The agency has become a target for significant budget cuts, and questions have arisen as to how well it can defend itself under its current organizational structure.
As for Isaacman himself?
Jared Isaacman surveys the Washington DC landscape during his NASA Administrator confirmation hearings. Image: NASA
He surfaced in a lengthy interview in the June 30-July 13 issue of Aviation Week & Space Technology. Interestingly, rather than letting a bad taste from the Trump dismissal spoil his appetite, in his interview Isaacman notes a growing confidence in his abilities resulting from his nomination and participation in the confirmation process.
“I am looking at where I could potentially contribute in the political landscape… And if I feel like I could help, then I imagine it probably isn’t my last chapter in politics,” he concludes.
Name association with NASA is certainly not unheard of in the political realm – just think of John Glenn and Mark Kelly (who supported Isaacman’s nomination) for starters.
So, what are Isaacman’s political leanings? That answer has yet to play out in public, though these days sanity and rational thinking is at least a start.
Charismatic and without the freak-show whirlwind that cascades around Musk, can Isaacman launch himself into a political orbit at a time that seems right for a newcomer’s ascent? As always, time will tell – but his loss of the NASA post may have inadvertently acted as the launch pad for something else entirely.
