The number one of the Agency: «A stable presence will be needed on our satellite. This is how we will strengthen US leadership.”
«Americans are explorers, builders, innovators, entrepreneurs and pioneers. The spirit of the frontier is written in our hearts,” declared Donald Trump during his second inauguration speech at the White House. On that occasion, the president also claimed that the Americans had “launched humanity towards the sky”. Moreover, the current occupant of the White House has never hidden that he considers space as a strategic sector in both geopolitical and economic terms. It is with this belief that, in December, he signed an executive order in which he established as a priority to “bring Americans back to the Moon by 2028”. In this sense, in the president’s eyes, NASA is of primary importance. To better understand his intentions, La Verità exclusively interviewed the head (administrator) of the US space agency: Jared Isaacman. Nominated by Trump in November, he was confirmed by the Senate on December 17. Pilot and astronaut, Isaacman is also an entrepreneur: he founded Shift4, a payment processing company, and Draken international, a company active in the military aviation sector. Considered close to Elon Musk, he also led, in 2021, Inspiration4: human space flight, managed by SpaceX. Instead, it was 2024, when he was commander of the Polaris Dawn space mission, also managed by SpaceX. Isaacman therefore best embodies the characteristics that Trump wants to impart to NASA: efficiency, entrepreneurial approach, openness to private companies and cutting waste. All with an eye obviously turned to the geopolitical competition with Beijing.
What are the space priorities of NASA and the Trump administration?
«NASA and the Trump administration are aligned on a clear set of priorities contained in the National Space Policy. These are the return of Americans to the Moon, the establishment of a stable presence on the Moon and the development of capabilities necessary for future missions to Mars. We are focused on advancing Artemis where physics and safety allow, investing in enabling technologies such as nuclear power and propulsion, and stimulating orbital and lunar economies. At the same time, we continue to advance science and strengthen US leadership through commercial and international partnerships.”
China is one of the United States’ main rivals in the space sector. How does NASA intend to face Chinese competition?
«The best way to compete is to respect the priorities of the National Space Policy. NASA’s role is to lead peaceful exploration, execute complex missions safely and on time, as well as help set the standards for the exploration and use of space. We ensure that the US remains at the forefront by acting with urgency, working closely with our trade and international partners, and maintaining ourselves at the highest level of excellence.”
Why does the Trump administration make returning to the Moon and sending astronauts to Mars a priority?
«The Moon is the testbed for the capabilities we will need for Mars and beyond. Prioritizing these missions allows the United States to remain at the technological forefront, strengthen partnerships, and reduce long-term strategic risks. Economically, these efforts contribute to the growth of new industries and the expansion of American leadership. All this, while, from a geopolitical point of view, they demonstrate credibility, capacity and determination on the world stage.”
The Artemis II mission will take place in February. What is its importance?
«It will take humans around the Moon for the first time since Apollo, marking humanity’s return to deep space after more than half a century. Beyond its historical significance, this mission allows us to test, with a crew on board, the spacecraft, launch system and mission operations we will depend on for future Moon landings. Flying on this mission gives us that experience and confidence that are crucial, before taking the next step: returning astronauts to the lunar surface with Artemis III.”
Why is the Trump administration so supportive of partnerships between NASA and private companies?
«Commercial partnerships allow NASA to focus its resources on the most complex problems that only this agency can solve. When industry can deliver capabilities efficiently and at scale, NASA can focus on problems that only this agency can address, such as deep space exploration, advanced technologies, and missions that raise the bar of what is possible. This model increases speed, reduces costs and, ultimately, strengthens US leadership in space.”
She is an astronaut. How will this background influence your role as head of NASA?
«My previous spaceflight experience has given me a deep respect for the people who design, build, test and operate these systems, and for the responsibility that comes from putting humans in command. This reinforces the importance of discipline, preparation and clear decision-making when we ask people to trust their lives to the work we do. This perspective shapes the way I think about readiness, accountability, and the need to remove unnecessary obstacles so teams can focus on achieving mission objectives.”
You said you want to make NASA more financially sustainable. How will he do it?
«Making NASA more efficient means reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, bringing decision-making closer to the work done and concentrating resources on missions that make the difference. When I talk about sustainability, I don’t mean to suggest that NASA should be about profit, but that we need to help boost commercial and scientific activity in orbit and beyond, so that exploration no longer depends exclusively on government-set models.”
NASA collaborated with the Italian Space Agency.
Do you expect the partnership between the two agencies to strengthen in the future?
«Italy has been a strong and reliable partner in space for decades, with significant contributions to human spaceflight, science and exploration.
I expect our partnership with the Italian Space Agency to strengthen further as we move towards sustained operations on the Moon in the near future, as well as the development of world-class science and exploration missions that benefit both nations. Italy’s role as a signatory to the Artemis Accords reflects our shared commitment to peaceful and responsible exploration. Partnerships like this are essential to achieve ambitious missions and define the rules that will shape the future of space.”
