Jared Isaacman

New Capabilities

Serving as 15th NASA Administrator since December 2025

No human has traveled beyond low-Earth orbit since December 1972. On January 17, 2026, NASA rolled its 322-foot Space Launch System (SLS) rocket to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center. A rare arctic outbreak delayed the wet dress rehearsal to February 2, which completed propellant loading but encountered a hydrogen leak, valve issues, and other anomalies. On February 21, teams identified a helium flow interruption in the SLS interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS), prompting preparations to roll the rocket back to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) on February 25, eliminating the March launch window. The SLS returned to the VAB for repairs including helium system fixes, battery replacements, and seal repairs on the core stage liquid oxygen line. Artemis II still targets early April 2026 following completion of the Flight Readiness Review on March 12.

Updated Feb 27

Force in Play

Managing evacuation

NASA's first medical evacuation from the International Space Station (ISS) occurred on January 14, 2026, when SpaceX Crew Dragon undocked carrying four astronauts home six weeks early due to a serious but stable medical condition with one crew member. This ended a 25-year streak without such an event, despite statistical models predicting one every three years. The crew splashed down safely off California on January 15 after 167 days in space.

Updated Feb 14

Money Moves

Sworn in Dec. 18, 2025; begins tenure under a new White House space executive order and signals a speed-based Artemis lander approach.

One day after his 67–30 confirmation, Jared Isaacman was sworn in on Dec. 18, 2025 as NASA’s 15th administrator—walking directly into a White House-driven acceleration campaign that now has his name on the clock, not just the contracts.

Updated Dec 20, 2025