Chift4 Payments Jard Isaacman, President Donald Trump candidate For the NASA director, he finally obtained his day in the Senate and put his vision for the space agency to follow up on the tasks of both the moon and Mars.
During the ISAACMAN confirmation session before the Senate Committee for Trade, Science and Transport on Wednesday, the billionaire businessman Civil Space Pioneer Field questions and raised a few more. Vote to confirm Isaac – who got Wide support From the space industry as well as Scrutiny From Congress about his relations with the CEO of Spacex Elusk – it is not expected until the end of April at least.
Senate members faced Essaqman on NASA’s ambitions of the moon and Mars, which were questioned through Trump’s comments and musk. Trump, in his opening speech, pledged to observe American astronauts on Mars, but he did not mention the moon. Musk, who has long imagined a human colony on Mars, has The name The “distraction” moon and the past week He said “Stop on the moon simply slows down to Mars.”
“We must remain in the path. The intense shift in the priorities at this stage definitely means a red moon, which is waived by China for future generations,” said Senator Cruise Cruise, Chairman of the Committee.
Isaacman is committed to returning Americans to the moon in front of China, who plans to do this in 2030. But he added that he “gives priority to send American astronauts to Mars” and that NASA will develop capabilities to return to the moon “along the way.”
The suspension seems to put a moon landing on the rear stove. But Ishaqan said that the space agency could follow the tasks of the moon and Mars at the same time. Current plans invite NASA to launch Artemis III Crewed Landing in Mid 2027More than half a century after the end of the Apollo program.
“We do not have to make a bilateral decision from the moon against Mars, or the moon must come first in exchange for Mars,” he said. “We can have these efforts and do what is almost worthy.”
Isaacman faced more questions about the Artemis program, which was created by Trump during his first term. Senate members explicitly asked him about the NASA space launch system (SLS), the crew method for Artemis II – which does not include the decline – ARTEMIS III. Ezkman criticize The spacecraft appeared because it is “very expensive”, but it seems that Wednesday changes its melody.
“I think it’s the best and fastest way to get it [to the moon]Isaac said.
Later, though, he added: “I don’t think it is a long -term way to reach the moon and to Mars at a large frequency.”
ISAACMAN made similar comments about other artemis components such as the Lunar Gateway, which implicitly means that it may not be long -term solutions.
“I have no intention – as now – to say that I will cancel any program,” he said.
Shift4 CEO committed to a long -term operation of a different orbital laboratory, the International Space Station (ISS). Isaacan said that he is “familiar” with Musk’s invitation to Deorbit ISS “as soon as possible”, which contradicts a NASA and Spacex Plan To do this in 2030. He called for the preservation of the space station until the planned retirement.
“I don’t think we should get rid of it now,” said Eskman. “I think we need to take advantage of the most use of the space station while we have and know what we can accomplish in the unique environment of minor gravity.”
It is not surprising, that the name Musk came a lot during the session. Esgman flew on two private sector Spacex Missions He bought two others, but he pledged to end these contracts if he was confirmed. At the same time, Musk played an effective role in the Ministry of Government Efficiency in Trump, which is Review NASA spending and policies. Critics are concerned that the tangle can be the net Spacex – which has received more than $ 13 billion from NASA’s financing over the past decade – to additional contracts.
Ishaqan tried to calm fears by claiming that he had not discussed NASA issues with Musk since his nomination. Several times, though, he refused to say whether Musk was present when Trump met him for the job last fall.
“My meeting was with the President of the United States,” Isaacan said firmly.
The Senator Ed Marki (D-Mass) was skeptical, and answered: “I assume that you do not want to answer the question directly because Elon Musk was in the room.”