Billionaire Jared Isaacman, the first civilian to walk in space, tells 'Your World' about his historic trip.

In a recent interview, Jared Isaacman, billionaire and the first civilian to walk in space, discussed his groundbreaking spaceflights and future plans for NASA's space exploration under his nomination as the agency's administrator. Isaacman's notable achievements include leading the all-civilian Inspiration4 mission, which successfully raised $250 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. His nomination to oversee NASA has garnered attention from lawmakers and space enthusiasts alike, particularly as the agency aims to maintain its leadership in space exploration. During his confirmation hearing, Isaacman emphasized the priority of sending American astronauts back to the lunar surface and a long-term vision for Mars exploration. Notably, key figures including former colleagues from the Inspiration4 mission, and space engineers who partnered with him on Polaris Dawn, have publicly expressed their support. The bipartisan backing he has received — notably from Republican Sen. Tim Sheehy, who called Isaacman a ‘successful innovator’ — reflects a political alignment that could influence his confirmation and future NASA policies. Pressing concerns arose during the hearing regarding potential conflicts of interest between Isaacman and SpaceX, particularly as Elon Musk's influence on the agency continues to be scrutinized. Responding to inquiries, Isaacman firmly stated that his loyalty lies with NASA’s mission rather than any private contractor, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in his leadership. Critics note that Isaacman’s background as a successful entrepreneur may draw skepticism about his outsider status compared to previous NASA administrators like Bill Nelson. However, supporters highlight that his significant contributions to the industry could be revolutionary for American space initiatives and international competitiveness. Isaacman's approach has already sparked discussions about the future infrastructure of space exploration, as he balanced affirming existing programs like Artemis while remaining open to innovation from private entities such as SpaceX. The coming months will be critical as he navigates the complexities of leading NASA during a time of rapid technological advancement and geopolitical competition in space.