The weeks-long “Game of Thrones” battle for control of NASA is still ongoing. In one corner sits Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. In the other corner is billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman.
It all started under President Trump suddenly withdrawn Nomination of Isaacman for NASA Administrator. About a month later, Trump appointed Transportation Secretary Duffy will be NASA’s acting administrator until a permanent space agency head is selected.
Duffy’s tenure as acting administrator continued for some time without controversy, with him occasionally appearing on television promoting the Artemis program and expressing confidence that NASA would beat China to the Moon. He also announced an initiative To build a small nuclear power plant on the surface of the Moon.
Things started to change when the media reported on Isaacman had met Trump several times discussed space policy and the possibility of nominating a billionaire astronaut for NASA administrator. Duffy also interviewed IsaacmanOne meeting has been described as “an in-depth examination of the fintech billionaire’s vision for the agency and the role that companies like Elon Musk’s SpaceX will play in its future.”
Duffy suddenly appeared on television to announce the contract for the Human Landing System that would return Americans to the lunar surface.will be reopenedSpaceX is taking too long to develop its version. Furthermore, the Starship-based human landing system was too complex to be ready for a lunar surface mission in time to defeat a projected Chinese Moon mission.
This announcement upset Musk hit the roof. He posted several abusive messages on X, attacking Duffy’s intelligence and claiming that compared to other companies, SpaceX was moving at “lightning speed” to develop human landing systems.
Curiously, White House insiders started to turn Duffy repeatedly accused him of starting a fight with Trump allies who will need deep pockets during the 2026 midterms. The rift between Trump and Musk in late spring has largely healed.
Duffy further escalated matters by proposing That NASA be converted into the Department of Transportation. The move will allow him to continue setting broader space policy. But many people thought it was a stupid idea, since everything NASA does has nothing to do with transportation.
Meanwhile, Isaacman was working at a slower pace. Although he gave a few interviews when his nomination was withdrawn that showed his lack of bitterness, he has not said anything about the possibility of his re-nomination since rumors began in September.
However, others were quite vocal in their support of Isaacman as NASA Administrator. Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and MAGA influencer Laura Loomer have been special In pursuing Isaacman. The billionaire private astronaut’s credentials speak volumes in his favor, as they did when he was first nominated.
Trump is the only person who can determine the winner of the space-oriented race for the Iron Throne. He is said to be personally fond of Duffy. But he also seems to have warmed to Isaacman, whom he once unfairly despised, As a Democrat.
The argument for selecting Isaacman, the sooner the better, is overwhelming. Having built two billion-dollar companies and privately financed two space flights, he has a proven record of making the nearly impossible possible.As he explained to Ars Technica’s Eric BergerIn June, Isaacman has a vision for NASA and the Artemis program that is amazing and achievable at the same time.
Trump’s withdrawal of Isaacman’s nomination was a serious mistake. This has created an environment of uncertainty and turmoil for months at NASA, and it cannot tolerate China’s lead in the new race to the Moon. Re-nominating Isaacman would go a long way in correcting that mistake.
The second race to the Moon is important because of who gets bragging rights. A Chinese victory would be a major embarrassment for the United States in general and Trump in particular.
Isaacman may or may not be able to avert American defeat in the New Moon race. But he will almost certainly be able to do whatever it takes, including a permanent NASA lunar base and all that goes with it, not to mention American boots on Martian soil sometime in the 2030s.
And Duffy would still be able to do great work as Secretary of Transportation, especially in fixing the broken air traffic control system; Which is no small thing.
Mark R. Whittington, who writes frequently about space policy, has published a political study of space exploration titled “Why is it so hard to go back to the Moon?” as well as “Moon, Mars and beyond“And, recently,”Why is America going back to the moon?He blogs hereCurmudgeon’s Corner.
