The appointment of the private astronaut, Jared Isaacman, as the Administrator of NASA marks a historical turning point, not only for the American space agency, but for the global space community, the scientific world, and, of course, the State of Israel.

Following a period in which NASA operated under temporary leadership, Isaacman’s entry into the role brings a fresh, entrepreneurial spirit based on exclusive field experience. Isaacman is an entrepreneur, pilot, astronaut, and visionary who deeply comprehends the revolution the space sector is currently undergoing: from a government monopoly to an open, integrated, and multi-participant market.

The New Space Revolution – A Vision Come True

Isaacman does not merely speak of a distant vision; he makes it a reality. He initiated and commanded two of the three most groundbreaking missions of the private space sector era.

In 2021, he led the Inspiration4 mission, the first spaceflight in history to consist of four non-professional astronauts who embarked on a three-day journey, orbiting Earth in SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.

In 2022, I participated as a crew member in another groundbreaking mission, Ax-1. We were the first commercial crew to work at the International Space Station (ISS). The 17-day mission involved extensive international cooperation. The Rakia mission team built a comprehensive work plan that included dozens of scientific experiments and educational and cultural activities, proving the power of private entrepreneurship in integrating Israel into the global space arena.

In 2024, as part of the Polaris Dawn mission, Isaacman led a crew in the Dragon spacecraft for a five-day mission that broke another record: the highest space orbit reached by humans since 1972- the Apollo 17 mission to the moon. The mission included a spacewalk; both Jared and Sarah Gillis exited the spacecraft, marking a technological, operational, and symbolic achievement all at once.

Economic Significance – Space Becomes a Successful Industry

NASA already works with many private sector contractors, successfully defining the American ecosystem around the space industry. The expectation of this appointment is for Isaacman to push this trend forward, open the field to the broader commercial market, and strengthen the synergy between sectors. NASA will focus on high-risk challenges and long-term programs, while the private market can take over practical fields previously performed by the agency. The economic significance is clear: industry expansion, technological development, transportation solutions, lowering the entry barrier for research, and establishing more infrastructure outside of Earth. All will increase the global market share of the space sector and create many opportunities for the integration of local economies.

In Israel, the potential is enormous. With advanced defense industries, a groundbreaking academic community, and a unique culture of innovation, the country can become a key player in the global space industry. In Rakia, we are already seeing this in play: Israeli experiments on the ISS, collaborations with research institutions worldwide, and growing interest from startups in fields such as remote sensing, materials engineering, biomedicine, and more.

Education, Inspiration, and Diplomacy

Beyond economics and technology, Isaacman’s appointment carries deep social significance. He embodies a new concept: space can and should serve as an educational, cultural, and social tool. Through the missions he led, a clear message was portrayed: Space belongs to everyone.

We believe and hope that under his leadership, NASA will continue this path, opening collaboration channels with educational institutions, communities, non-profit organizations and academia, encouraging a broader and more representative participation in space discourse and action.

Over the last decade, Israel, too, has been developing a project that enables this exact vision: space as a place of belonging rather than a place of deterrence. In recent years, initiatives connecting academia, industry, research, art, and education have been active here. The focus is not just on the technological aspect itself, but on the people who can derive value from it, pupils, students, entrepreneurs, young researchers, and communities in the social and geographical peripheries.

Instead of seeing space as a distant object, the practice in Israel turns it into a topic relevant to educational, environmental, philosophical, and cultural questions. Activities like Israel’s collaborations in the Ax-4 mission, and those held during the Ax-1 mission, which integrated scientific experiments alongside educational and cultural projects, demonstrate the ability to leverage existing global infrastructures for diverse and integrated Israeli action. At the base of all this is the understanding that space is not just a destination; it is a platform. And like any powerful platform, the question is not just what can be done with it, but who can take part in it.

Looking Ahead – Space Belongs to All of Us

Jared Isaacman’s appointment illustrates the progression of change: the entry of new and inclusive players, such as entrepreneurs and young scientists, is already a reality. Under leadership that intimately recognizes the value of open-mindedness, diversity, and collaboration, NASA may not only become an engine of technological advancement but also a driving force that expands the boundaries of participation, encourages educational and research initiatives, and promotes a broader dialogue on humanity’s place in the universe.

Space is no longer just a physical destination to strive for; it is an ideological, economic, and social space that raises new questions about our shared future. The possibilities this field paves for science, education, diplomacy, and society are many and varied, because each of us is a crew member of humanity on Planet Earth.

In Israel, too, engagement in the field is gradually opening to a wider public, not only in industry and academia but also through educational and communal events that seek to bring space closer to people from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. For example, in the upcoming Space Week held at the end of January across the country, there will be meetings with figures from the international arena, experienced astronauts alongside Dr. Sian Proctor, who participated in the Inspiration4 mission.

NASA’s new leadership, combined with Israel’s existing capabilities, can lead to a significant Israeli industry engagement in shaping the next human frontier.

Impact investor, philanthropist and pilot, Eytan Stibbe was the second Israeli astronaut to ever go to space. As a crew member of the Ax-1 mission, in April 2022, Eytan spent 17 days on the International Space Station. Together with the Ramon foundation and the Israeli Space Agency, a work plan was assembled and called the RAKIA mission. It included experiments in medicine, earth observation, production in space as well as educational programs and art, all under the banner “There is no dream beyond reach”.