“… I read NASAWatch …” – CSPAN
Keith’s note: the following are the realtime social media quotes I posted on @NASAWatch regarding the salient points of today’s confirmation hearing for Jared Isaacman. And yes, he said that reads NASAWatch. (sigh) I’m never going to retire, am I?
Q: @SenTedCruz: NASA is at a cross roads has transformed celestial economic landsape – no longer exclusive domain of countries and legacy contractors. The future of final frontier has never been more uncertain. Space is the ultimate high ground a nation that dominates can deny access to things to others. CCP has been explicit in its desire to dominate space. Rovers on farside of moon and they have a fully functional space station.
We are not headed for the next space race. It is already here. I strongly support presidents vision for Mars. We cannot abandon american dominance where it is already established. ISS services a hub for research and testing. We will have to retire it – before that happens must put necessary systems for American astronauts continually in LEO. We cannot surrender LEO to China or Russia.
I am worried about a Red Moon and ceding things to China for decades to come. It would be a mistake to say to China “the Moon is yours, America will not lead”.
Q: @SenatorCantwell – the space race is heating up. You need to make sure we do not lose in that space race. This includes the Artemis program. With 40 companies across state of Washington we have 2,000 employees only working on #Artemis program – Gateway, crewed lunar lander, SLS, and Orion.
NASA is a top R&D organization – in aerospace, AI, quantum, and next gen manufacturing. I have concerns about press reports where Administration will come down on investments. Worried about changes to Artemis – possibly SLS termination – experts say that Americans will not get to the Moon by the end of the decade. I agree with the Chairman, I also want to win the race and that China does not beat us to Mars and that we should beat them to the Moon.
I am worried about DOGE layoffs to science – up to $420 million in #NASA contracts have been canceled. How does this impact many NASA Organizations. The NASA Chief Scientist, Chief Technologist and Chief Economist have their last day at work tomorrow. Science may be cut by half. I am worried about all these things and look forward to your views.
Q: @TimSheehyMT I have known @rookisaacman for years – both dreamed of being astronauts as children. All american should be proud of NASA. The sacrifices made by astronauts is well known. Behind them is a massive team who are ture heroes of our space program. A leader needs to believe in the mission but also needs to have interdisciplinary skills. NASA has been struggling for several decades. Since Columbia NASA has been a struggling organization full of great people searching for revival. In light of Starliner that left Astronauts stuck in space. President Musk and Elon Musk knew it was time for a change. Jared and I share a passion – pediatric philanthropy. NAS presents a moral obligation to lead in the greatest frontier ever known. Jared understands complex organizations but also knows how to design complicated systems and fly space ships. NASA needs fresh bold leadership.
Q: @SenTedCruz: Threat from China is very real. China intends to become world’s pre-eminent space power. This is an incredible danger to US prosperity and security. Human on Moon in 2030 and permanent on Moon with Russia by 2035. If China beats us to the moon what consequences will america face.
A: @Rookisaacman – if we loose we will be following forever. Helium 3 could shift power situation on Earth. We cannot cede the high ground.
Q: @SenTedCruz: (holds up poster showing American astronauts on the Moon on the left and Chinese astronauts on the Moon on the right) You told me in my office if President Trump sees Chinese astronauts on the Moon before Americans I would be fired that day. Seems to be disconnect between testimony with your prepared statement – will y ou make a commitment
A: @Rookisaacman If we can concentrate our resources we do not need to make a binary Moon/Mars decision and can do them both in parallel.
Q: @SenTedCruz: Moon as a stepping stone to Mars is in law. Do you think NASA can stand up a full mission to the Moon and Mars simultaneously
A: @Rookisaacman Yes I think we can do that. We went from ALan Shepard’s suborbital flight and Apollo 11 8 years later. Do I think we can do that? Yes.
Q: @SenTedCruz: Will you agree that China will not beat us on the Moon – the first woman will step on the Moon and that she will neb America
Q: @SenatorCantwell do you think that you will need to shut down any of #NASA’s 10 centers?
A: @rookisaacman have not been briefed in all of these things yet (no answer)
Q: @SenatorCantwell The more you can explain things the more support you get but the more that #DOGE slashes it there will be doubts. Should there be a RIF or cut in science budgets.
A: @Rookisaacman like everyone else I read what is on @NASAWatch … as a space enthusiast – I want my daughters to see an American walk on the Moon – I do not think it is ‘either or’.
Q: @AndyKimNJ: I need to get a clear idea what you mean by going back to the Moon. What else is on your mind beyond Helium-3. What are scientific etc. priorities when it comes to going to Mars vis a vis a presence on the Moon. Do you think we can do Moon and Mars on NASA’s current budget?
A: @Rookisaacman We need to get back there (to the Moon). All the best SciFi movies have Helium-3 as a justifying presence in space. I hope we have lots of space stations, Moon and Mars outposts. Yes, I think we can do both – and also develop a thriving low Earth orbit economy.
Q: @AndyKimNJ: What about the ISS timeline?
A: @Rookisaacman We need to maximize its remaining life – not bring it down any sooner than planned and hand it off to commercial follow-on space stations. If we do not figure out how to support a thriving space economy then everything will be funded by the government.
Q: @AndyKimNJ: What can NASA do that commercial actors cannot?
A: @Rookisaacman Well – NASA should takes on near-impossible tasks – like nuclear propulsion – no provate sector would take that on alone.
Q: @amyklobuchar Asked about STEM, education
A: @Rookisaacman It is fundamental requirement for NASA to inspire the next generation and the best way to do that is to complete its missions – go back to the Moon and then on Mars. NASA is a force multiplier for science. We want students hands on experience. NASA can lend its expertise and get academic institutions to contribute so that students can join the greatest space agency in the world.
Q: @amyklobuchar Will you be an advocate for science within the Administration?
A: @Rookisaacman I do think that the President is interested in ushering in a new era of science and exploration. I’d love nothing moe than to see NASA to go out and explore the universe.
Q: @JerryMoran: is SLS the best way to get to the Moon and Mars
A: @Rookisaacman best way to get astronauts there soon but perhaps not the best long term solution.
Q: @SenGaryPeters do you think that NASA can do all these things with the prospect of budget cuts at NASA? How do you plan to accelerate Mars missions and protect it frombudget cuts.
A: @Rookisaacman Not familiar with what budgets are being contemplated – since 1989 presidents have called for Moon and Mars. I will roll up my sleeve and figure out challenges, clear the obstacles and proceed on doing the mission and get the inspiration going and inspire the next generation.
Q: @SenGaryPeters have you spoken with Elon Musk about how you’d run NASA?
A: @Rookisaacman No.
Q: @SenGaryPeters will you take steps to make sure Musk does not exert undue influence over NASA contracts?
A: @Rookisaacman I want to be clear my loyalty to the agency and their world changing missions. They are contractors they work for us not the other way around.
Q: @MarshaBlackburn – greatest area competition with Russia, CHina, Iran
A: @Rookisaacman competition can be good – as long as we do not lose especially with the high ground of space.
Q: @SenDanSullivan Are you familiar with the movie “The Martian”? How can NASA better convey these things to inspire Americans?
FYI @rookisaacman I think it is a fundamental obligation of NASA to want to grow up an d become scientists and engineers. Nothing will get that to happen faster than to see Americans on The Moon and Mars. (If nominated) We could do a much better job on emphasizing things – NASA has over 300 media channels, I think we could narrow that down and focus on quality content over quantity – narrow the @NASA channels so as to get people want to join and support #NASA.
Q: @ToddYoungIN TRACS system – if confirmed how would NASA coordinate with Dept Commerce and DOD on space traffic management and situational awareness.
A: @Rookisaacman This is a big concern – considered it to be the biggest risk on my missions. There should be a central place where it is all tracked. We need to stop adding to the problem – its the things that we cannot see. Its not the big things its the small fleck of paint traveling at 17,500 MPH – it is eye opening to see what it can penetrate. Need to work with less responsible actors on this issue.
Q; @SenDuckworth asked about stance on supporting the ISS and whether NASA can do both Moon and Mars missions.
A: @Rookisaacman I not think we should deorbit ISS but try and get the most out of it while we have it. I support efforts on the Moon as well as missions to Mars. I think we can do both simultaneously. I think we can do the Moon, Mars, and Beyond.
Q: @SenMarkey question @Rookisaacman about his linked to @ELonMusk and @SpaceX. You met Musk at Mara Lago
A: @Rookisaacman there were dozens of people there – went there to talk to the president about NASA.
Q: @SenMarkey asked multiple times “Was Elon Musk in the room?”
A: @RookisaacmanI was being inteviewed by the President of the United States.
Q: @SenMarkey have you discussed your plans for NASA with Elon Musk
A: @Rookisaacman No I have not.
Q: @SenMarkey asked about Trump administration take down of environmental datasets
A: @Rookisaacman I am very pasionate about the Earth Science Divison at NASA
Q: @SenMarkey will you make a commitment to restore that information
A: @Rookisaacman I have not been made aware of any data deletions.
Q: @SenTedCruz Law is clear that Moon is training ground for Mars. You were reluctant to commit to a sustained human presence on the Moon.
A: @Rookisaacman I think it is imperative that we get back to the Moon as soon as we can
Q: @SenTedCruz What about Gateway?
A: @Rookisaacman I need to get better informed – Gateway is part of many programs that are over budget and behind schedule
Q: @SenTedCruz Obama cancelled Constellation and NASA struggled for years. As administrator are you going to cancel the Gateway program?
A: @Rookisaacman No intention of saying I will cancel anything right now. I need to get into the job. I want to see America win and succeed in space – I do not want to see us come in second place
Q: @SenTedCruz Are you committed to a sustained human presence in cislunar space and on the Moon?
A: @Rookisaacman That is the Law an I am committed to it.
Q: @SenTedCruz NASA is going to retire ISS and replace with commercial stations. Unfortunately everything is behind schedule. Do you agree that we cannot have a gap in American human presence in LEO?
A: @Rookisaacman We cannot cede LEO to the Chinese
Q: @SenTedCruz The premature de-orbit of ISS would be profoundly foolish. Will you commit to sustaining ISS – as long as it is safe – until 2030?
A: @Rookisaacman I will commit to do that and seek to maximize the return from ISS
FYI @rookisaacman You mentioned interest in the potent inspirational abilities of @NASA for the next generation and how #NASA can work to continue and expand that role. You mentioned your daughters’ futures. FYI a poster you may get them 😉 #StarTrekStrangeNewWorlds or the #StarTrekLowerDecks versions. Or both. FYI @AnsonMount @StarTrek #40thspacesymposium
#Real #Time #NASAWatch #Quotes #Jared #Isaacmans #Confirmation #Hearing
