Talking to the 12 men who walked on the moon was truly an honor. Each of them had their own distinct stories, but they shared a critical point: the power of the U.S. president to both support and undermine NASA.
On September 12, 1962, in what’s become an iconic speech, President John F. Kennedy advocated for NASA, emphasizing the necessity for the U.S. to establish itself as a “leading space-faring nation.” He expressed that the world should see space exploration not as an avenue for conquest but as a quest for peace.
Fast forward over 60 years, and there’s a sentiment among some that President Barack Obama, followed by President Joe Biden, contributed to weakening NASA’s mission. Obama didn’t show much enthusiasm for NASA, and often redirected parts of its budget toward “education.” Biden, on the other hand, appears more interested in using NASA to experiment with identity politics and climate initiatives. Personally, I believe that qualifications should always take precedence over identity in hiring practices.
During that time, I had the privilege of working with four astronauts, including Eileen Collins, a remarkable figure in NASA’s history. Not only was she the first female shuttle pilot, but she also commanded a mission. Her impressive background as a test pilot and Air Force veteran, with extensive flight experience, made her exceptionally qualified to enhance shuttle safety.
Many now suggest that President Trump should consider her for NASA’s first female administrator position.
Currently, Transport Secretary Sean Duffy is serving as the interim administrator for NASA, and he seems intent on restoring the agency’s former prestige, which some argue has been compromised by Biden’s focus on social issues and climate change. Trump, recognizing the gravity of Kennedy’s vision, seeks to reinvigorate the U.S. as a predominant power in space exploration.
Why is this important? Because both Kennedy and Trump understand that humanity’s flaws—greed, bias, and military ambitions—don’t disappear in space; rather, they often expand. Today, many view China as a formidable space power with military control over its program, capable of targeting satellites that impact U.S. military and economic interests. They also aim to extract helium-3, a potential clean energy resource, from the moon’s surface, which could power the entire U.S. energy demand for a year with just a fraction of what’s estimated to be on the moon.
While Biden and his associates seemed to sideline NASA, leading many to believe that the agency was becoming too focused on progressive agendas, the dynamics are changing with Trump’s resurgence. His administration is likely to realign NASA’s priorities towards national security and economic stability, countering China’s growing influence.
NASA should not be a playground for political agendas; it is a vital asset for the country that needs to focus on serving the nation’s interests. Without this shift, China could end up dominating everything from low-Earth orbit to Mars.
