Jared Isaacman on space race
From The General Good with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman at CNBC's CEO Council Summit · · CNBC Events
“I'd have been shocked if they didn't come out and say that, honestly. Like, we're both paying attention to each other. It is absolutely a space race again. Now, I think the implications are far greater for the United States than there are for China. Look, China gets to the moon before we're able to return. It's a hell of a statement to the world. They get to the moon after we return. It's a hell of a statement to the world. It's a win-win for both.”
On , Jared Isaacman, Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Chairman at SHIFT4 PAYMENTS INC, spoke about space race during The General Good with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman at CNBC's CEO Council Summit on CNBC Events.
About Jared Isaacman
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has been outlining the agency's plans for a sustained human presence on the moon, referred to as the "moon base," and the broader strategy for Mars exploration. In a series of press briefings and media appearances in May and June 2026, Isaacman described a three-phase approach to building the base, with phase one running through 2029 focused on establishing reliable lunar surface access through landers and rovers. He stated that the primary objective of the moon base is to work with water ice on the lunar south pole and "master the skills" needed for future missions to Mars. Isaacman also discussed the timeline for Artemis missions, including a crewed mission in 2027 to rendezvous with landers in low Earth orbit and a human landing in 2028. Isaacman has frequently commented on the role of commercial partners, describing SpaceX as "hands down" NASA's greatest commercial space company and expressing support for a potential SpaceX IPO, which he said would be a "great thing" as it would further capitalize a key vendor. He also addressed competition with China in space, stating that if the U.S. fails to return to the moon after 35 years and $100 billion, it "sends a message that something is broken" and invites adversaries to encroach on American interests. Additionally, Isaacman announced that NASA plans to launch SR1 Freedom, described as the first nuclear-powered interplanetary spacecraft, in 2028, which he said is key to achieving human missions to Mars. He has also emphasized the need to develop a space economy that generates value beyond taxpayer funding, saying he does not believe a "true spacefaring world" is possible if it is "perpetually funded by taxpayers."