Leaked “Project Athena” Memo Outlines Isaacman’s Plan to Reshape NASA

A confidential proposal from billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman lays out a sweeping plan to overhaul NASA by outsourcing major missions to private companies and running the agency more like a business. The 62-page document, titled Project Athena and obtained by POLITICO, is surfacing just as Isaacman reemerges as a contender to lead NASA, potentially complicating his return.

Isaacman, whose earlier nomination was withdrawn in May over political and personal ties to figures like Elon Musk, wrote the manifesto to “reorganize and reenergize NASA” and reassert U.S. leadership in space. His plan urges NASA to purchase science data from commercial firms, exit the “taxpayer-funded climate science business,” and shift resources toward nuclear propulsion for deep-space exploration.

He also proposes phasing out the Space Launch System (SLS) and Gateway lunar station after two more Artemis missions, consolidating mission control at Johnson Space Center, and reviewing whether all NASA facilities remain “relevant and necessary.”

Isaacman says his ideas are consistent with what he told the Senate during his confirmation hearing. But critics, including former NASA officials, have described the proposals as “reckless” and “out of touch,” warning that many would need congressional approval.

Industry sources say putting such an ambitious reform plan in writing could backfire politically. “It’s a rookie mistake,” said one insider, predicting Isaacman may have to disavow some of the document’s content if renominated.

Still, Isaacman’s supporters argue the plan reflects his entrepreneurial mindset — pushing for innovation, efficiency, and private-sector collaboration. Whether his bold vision for NASA gains traction may depend on how the White House and Congress respond to one of the most radical reform blueprints the agency has ever seen.

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