By Abiola Olawale
United States President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday announced the nomination of Jared Isaacman as the administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The New Diplomat reports that Isaacman is a business ally of business tycoon Elon Musk.
Trump, in a press statement posted on his Truth Social platform, said Isaacman, CEO of payment processing company Shift4 Payments (FOUR.N), is expected to manage the NASA’s roughly $25 billion budget, focusing seriously on returning humans to the moon under its Artemis program.
The statement reads in part: “Jared will drive NASA’s mission of discovery and inspiration, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements in Space science, technology, and exploration.”
Trump also added that Isaacman would also command the space agency’s aeronautics portfolio, which has been funding green aviation concepts.