Well, now we know why he left ULA:
Welcome to Blue Origin, @torybruno. We share a deep belief in supporting our nation with the best technology we can build. Tory brings unmatched experience, and I’m confident he’ll accelerate our ability to deliver on that mission. Glad to have you with us. https://t.co/lBXOGwkKhE
— Dave Limp (@davill) December 26, 2025
The Economist has discovered El Segundo, including its history with SpaceX. It’s a primary reason I haven’t abandoned California yet.
NASA may have a new Administrator as soon as Monday or Tuesday of next week. https://t.co/2aDdcaJMJa
— Eric Berger (@SciGuySpace) December 11, 2025
[Saturday-morning update]
The Empire strikes back.
One of the last people whose opinions I have any respect for in such matters is Doug Cooke. His and Mike’s porkfest is what got us here. I may fisk this later.
[Wednesday-afternoon update]
Confirmed, 67-30: Confirmation of Executive Calendar #593 Jared Isaacman to be Administrator of the @NASA.
— Senate Cloakroom (@SenateCloakroom) December 17, 2025
[Bumped]
If it works in vacuum, this might be a solution to the glove problem with space suits.
Why is Elon doing it?
Since it came out, I’ve been saying that the decadal needs to be completely redone, as it assumes business as usual. But there’s a new report out from academics on how to use Starship for Mars exploration, so people are finally starting to get it. Bob Zimmerman summarizes.
Driving up to the Bay Area for the Foresight Vision Weekend. We’ll be driving back down Monday. I’ll have the laptop with me, but don’t know if I’ll have much time for blogging. So comments are open.
Unusually, I’ll try to live blog it in the morning. It starts at 1000 EST, and I’ll update here.
[Morning update, just before scheduled start]
Here is the link to the live stream.
[Update a few minutes later]
Hearing has started, with an introduction from Chairman Cruz.
[Update a couple hours later]
NASA Administrator Nominee Jared Isaacman delivers a powerful and urgent opening message at his confirmation hearing:
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 3, 2025
“The last time I sat before you, I introduced myself, my qualifications, and the challenges and opportunities ahead. This time, I'm here with a message of… pic.twitter.com/DRsJFxt9ZY
Here is the second NASA confirmation hearing for Jared Isaacman.
— Robin (@xdNiBoR) December 3, 2025
I have removed questions directed to Steven Haines and long unnecessary pauses, shortening the hearing by about an hour.
Please repost and share 🙏🙏
07:53 – Opening remarks from Jared Isaacman pic.twitter.com/9lLh3zwzIQ
[Thursday-morning update]
Bob Zimmerman says that the hearing, along with NASA, is ultimately irrelevant.
The turkey is brined and in the oven, the dressing is ready to go in, and friends are coming over. I’m thankful for my health at an age I always figured as a kid would be OLD, friends in the space community, and the fact that things I’ve been hoping for for decades in space may finally be on the verge of happening. I’m also thankful that Jared gets another shot at running NASA. Finally, I’m thankful for my faithful readers, some of whom have become old friends, in both senses of the word, and some of whom we’ve lost over the years, but I always welcome new ones.
I’m less thankful for the Lions, but they’re not completely out of it yet.
Disport yourselves cordially in comments.