Incoming Head of NASA Puts SpaceX in Its Place: "They Work for Us, Not the Other Way Around"

During his confirmation hearing in front of Congress today, incoming NASA administrator and billionaire fighter jet pilot-turned-SpaceX astronaut Jared Isaacman took a notable turn away from the private space company that enabled both of his trips into orbit. Members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Technology committee overseeing the proceedings repeatedly questioned Isaacman over his conflict of interest — and his relationship with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. After all, the optics of a wealthy individual with a close relationship with one of NASA's biggest contractors is bound to raise some eyebrows. Just this week, House Democrats kicked off investigations into Musk's conflict of interest, probing whether he was using the space agency to enrich himself. When asked if Isaacman had been in touch at all with Musk to privately discuss matters at NASA, Isaacman had a resounding answer. "Not at all, senator," he said. Isaacman used today's meeting to head off any concerns that his cozy ... Read full article.