NASA's new leader, Jared Isaacman, makes his priorities clear

The new head of NASA billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacmanlays out his priorities for the space agency in his first days on the job.

Isaacman was sworn in Thursday as NASA's 15th administrator. On the same day, President Donald Trump signed executive order governing NASA return astronauts to the Moon by 2028, begin construction of a permanent outpost on the lunar surface by 2030, and lay the groundwork for future Mars exploration.

The order will likely serve as a road map for Isaacman and NASA.

“Over the next three years, we're going to land American astronauts on the moon again, but this time with the infrastructure intact,” Isaacman told NBC News after being sworn in on Thursday.

He stepped into this role at a key moment for NASA: the Trump administration did it the urgent task is to return astronauts to the moon before Chinese astronauts reach the lunar surface.

“We are facing a new space race,” Isaacman said.

Next stage NASA's Moon Return Programknown as Artemis, could launch as early as February. The Artemis II mission will send four astronauts on a roughly 10-day flight around the moon to test the agency's Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.

Artemis III's next flight is expected to take astronauts near the moon's south pole.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly (left) swears in Jared Isaacman (right) as NASA's 15th administrator as Isaacman's parents, Donald and Sandra Marie, join him Thursday in Washington, DC.Bill Ingalls/NASA via Getty Images

Under Isaacman's leadership, NASA is expected to continue its move toward greater commercialization. Companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin are expected to play critical roles in the space agency's efforts to return to the moon, and Isaacman said other private space firms will also support the agency's lunar ambitions.

Trump's executive order on space policy calls for the development of “a vibrant commercial space economy through American free enterprise” and lays out a plan to phase out the International Space Station by 2030 and launch commercial space stations in its place.

The order also pays special attention to nuclear power in space. Based on a directive from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who served as NASA's acting administrator until Isaacman was confirmed, he aims to develop a nuclear reactor that will be ready to fly to the moon by 2030.

Isaacman said nuclear power in space will be key to lunar exploration, including future missions to Mars.

However, one of the challenges he will face as administrator will be implementing the White House's vision on a limited budget.

Ongoing funding from the US government will continue until January 30th. After this, NASA will face the possibility of significant budget cuts, especially for its scientific activities.

Despite this looming obstacle, Isaacman expressed optimism about the agency's ability to juggle the administration's priorities.

“Whether it's $25 billion or $20 billion, that's a lot of money coming into the agency every year,” he said. “We have the best and brightest people who can solve many complex problems—almost impossible—at the same time.”

“In the president's space policy, this is an opportunity to go back to the Moon, build the infrastructure there, and then invest in future technologies like nuclear to prepare for missions to Mars,” Isaacman said. “I think with the resources provided and the President's commitment here in the White House to this space policy, we can get the job done.”