Home / Science / Billionaire's Leaked NASA Overhaul Plan Sparks Controversy
Billionaire's Leaked NASA Overhaul Plan Sparks Controversy
10 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Billionaire Jared Isaacman nominated to lead NASA, outlines ambitious plan
- Proposal includes revamping NASA centers, new Mars program, nuclear propulsion
- Leaked document sparks power struggle with Transportation Secretary Duffy
In May 2025, billionaire Jared Isaacman, who was recently renominated to lead NASA, outlined a comprehensive plan for the space agency in a 62-page document titled "Project Athena." The leaked document, which was drafted around the same time as the Trump administration's budget request, proposes a range of ambitious and controversial changes.
Isaacman's plan includes revamping some NASA centers to focus on nuclear electric propulsion, establishing a new Mars exploration program, and embracing an "accelerate/fix/delete" philosophy to reshape the agency. If enacted, these policies could significantly alter the day-to-day operations of NASA and transform the 67-year-old space agency.
However, the leaked document has sparked a power struggle within the government. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who is temporarily running NASA, is believed to have been behind the leak in an effort to spur controversy and potentially thwart Isaacman's renomination. Duffy has reportedly expressed interest in holding the NASA administrator job permanently.
