In recent weeks, copies of an intriguing policy document have started to spread among space lobbyists on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The document bears the title “Athena,” and it purports to summarize the actions that private astronaut Jared Isaacman would have taken, were his nomination to become NASA administrator confirmed.
The 62-page plan is notable both for the ideas to remake NASA that it espouses as well as the manner in which it has been leaked to the space community.
After receiving a copy of this plan from an industry official, I spoke with multiple sources over the weekend to understand what is happening. Based upon this reporting there are clearly multiple layers to the story, which I want to unpack.
This sounds like an exciting development for NASA! The “Athena” plan could bring new opportunities and innovations in space exploration. It’s always fascinating to see how policies evolve in the space sector.
Absolutely! The “Athena” plan seems poised to not only enhance NASA’s capabilities but also foster collaboration with private space companies. It will be interesting to see how these partnerships evolve and what innovative projects might emerge from them.