
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., questions NASA Administrator Bill Nelson as he testifies before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during a hearing titled “Examining NASA’s Budget and Priorities,” Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine testifies during a Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness hearing titled, "Global Space Race: Ensuring the United States Remains the Leader in Space," Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson’s daughter, Nan Ellen Nelson, left, and his wife Grace Nelson, listen as Bill Nelson, President Biden’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, President Biden’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine testifies during a Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness hearing titled, "Global Space Race: Ensuring the United States Remains the Leader in Space," Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, President Biden’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Inspector General Paul Martin is seen during a Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness hearing titled "Examining the Future of the International Space Station: Administration Perspectives" Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Committee Chair Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., listens to former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, President Biden’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, as he appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Lori Garver, nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA, testifies at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 8, 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier testifies during a Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness hearing titled "Examining the Future of the International Space Station: Administration Perspectives" held on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Astrophysicist, American Museum of Natural History and Director, Hayden Planetarium Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson testifies during a U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 in Washington. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden testified at the same hearing prior to Tyson. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, President Biden’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden testifies during a U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden testifies during a U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Charles Bolden, nominee for Administrator of NASA, left, and Lori Garver, Nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA, testify at their confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 8, 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Deputy Senate Sergeant at Arms Jim Morhard appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation as the nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Witness table for NASA Administrator Bill Nelson ahead of him testifying before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during a hearing titled “Examining NASA’s Budget and Priorities,” Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine testifies during a Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness hearing titled, "Global Space Race: Ensuring the United States Remains the Leader in Space," Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, President Biden’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine's shoes are seen while testifying during a Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness hearing titled, "Global Space Race: Ensuring the United States Remains the Leader in Space," Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier of Oklahoma appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation as the nominee to be the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, President Biden’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, questions Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, right, during a hearing, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. testifies on behalf of former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, President Biden’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, President Biden’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Deputy Senate Sergeant at Arms Jim Morhard appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation as the nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, right, speaks with Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas after testifying at a Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness hearing titled, "Global Space Race: Ensuring the United States Remains the Leader in Space," Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier testifies during a Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness hearing titled "Examining the Future of the International Space Station: Administration Perspectives" held on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Senator Ed Markey, D-Mass, asks NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine a question during a Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness hearing titled, "Global Space Race: Ensuring the United States Remains the Leader in Space," Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, President Biden’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, President Biden’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Deputy Senate Sergeant at Arms Jim Morhard appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation as the nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Deputy Senate Sergeant at Arms Jim Morhard appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation as the nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson testifies before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during a hearing titled “Examining NASA’s Budget and Priorities,” Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, left, speaks with Senator Ed Markey, D-Mass, before testifying at a Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness hearing titled, "Global Space Race: Ensuring the United States Remains the Leader in Space," Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, President Biden’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson testifies before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during a hearing titled “Examining NASA’s Budget and Priorities,” Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Lori Garver, nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA, testifies at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 8, 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden testifies during a U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., introduces Deputy Senate Sergeant at Arms Jim Morhard as the nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA during a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, President Biden’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Deputy Senate Sergeant at Arms Jim Morhard appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation as the nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-WA, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, questions Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, during a hearing, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Deputy Senate Sergeant at Arms Jim Morhard appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation as the nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine testifies during a Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness hearing titled, "Global Space Race: Ensuring the United States Remains the Leader in Space," Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Deputy Senate Sergeant at Arms Jim Morhard appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation as the nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Astrophysicist, American Museum of Natural History and Director, Hayden Planetarium Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson testifies during a U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 in Washington. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden testified at the same hearing prior to Tyson. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness speaks during a hearing titled "Examining the Future of the International Space Station: Administration Perspectives," Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson testifies before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during a hearing titled “Examining NASA’s Budget and Priorities,” Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Senator Bill Nelson, D-Fla, asks NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine a question during a Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness hearing titled, "Global Space Race: Ensuring the United States Remains the Leader in Space," Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine testifies during a Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness hearing titled, "Global Space Race: Ensuring the United States Remains the Leader in Space," Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson testifies before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during a hearing titled “Examining NASA’s Budget and Priorities,” Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Former U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison testifies on behalf of former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, President Biden’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Mr. Joel Szabat of Maryland appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation as the nominee to be Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs at the Department of Transportation on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden's hands and Naval Academy ring are seen as he testifies during a U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Deputy Senate Sergeant at Arms Jim Morhard appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation as the nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, questions Jim Morhard, nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA, during a hearing on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas, asks NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine a question during a Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness hearing titled, "Global Space Race: Ensuring the United States Remains the Leader in Space," Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Charles Bolden, nominee for Administrator of NASA, left, and Lori Garver, nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA, listen to Senators questions at their confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 8, 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., introduces Deputy Senate Sergeant at Arms Jim Morhard as the nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA during a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Astrophysicist, American Museum of Natural History and Director, Hayden Planetarium Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson testifies during a U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 in Washington. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden testified at the same hearing prior to Tyson. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, left, testifies before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during a hearing titled “Examining NASA’s Budget and Priorities,” Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Astrophysicist, American Museum of Natural History and Director, Hayden Planetarium Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson testifies during a U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 in Washington. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden testified at the same hearing prior to Tyson. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, President Biden’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, right, talks with Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., as Nelson appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Astrophysicist, American Museum of Natural History and Director, Hayden Planetarium Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson testifies during a U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 in Washington. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden testified at the same hearing prior to Tyson. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., questions NASA Administrator Charles Bolden during a U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson testifies before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during a hearing titled “Examining NASA’s Budget and Priorities,” Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, President Biden’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, President Biden’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson testifies before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during a hearing titled “Examining NASA’s Budget and Priorities,” Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Inspector General Paul Martin testifies during a Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness hearing titled "Examining the Future of the International Space Station: Administration Perspectives" held on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., left, talks with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson prior to Nelson testifying before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during a hearing titled “Examining NASA’s Budget and Priorities,” Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., questions Deputy Senate Sergeant at Arms Jim Morhard, nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA, during a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson points to a model of the Near-Earth Object Surveyor space telescope (NEO Surveyor) as he testifies before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during a hearing titled “Examining NASA’s Budget and Priorities,” Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Deputy Senate Sergeant at Arms Jim Morhard, center, listens as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., introduces Morhard as the nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA during a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson testifies before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during a hearing titled “Examining NASA’s Budget and Priorities,” Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine testifies during a Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness hearing titled, "Global Space Race: Ensuring the United States Remains the Leader in Space," Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Deputy Senate Sergeant at Arms Jim Morhard appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation as the nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier testifies during a Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness hearing titled "Examining the Future of the International Space Station: Administration Perspectives" held on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden testifies during a U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., ranking member of the Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness speaks during a hearing titled "Examining the Future of the International Space Station: Administration Perspectives" held on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, D-Fla., questions NASA Administrator Charles Bolden during a U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Deputy Senate Sergeant at Arms Jim Morhard appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation as the nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, R-Texas, confer during a U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Charles Bolden, nominee for Administrator of NASA, waits for his turn to testify at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 8, 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee ranking member Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is seen on a television monitor as he questions NASA Administrator Bill Nelson during a hearing titled “Examining NASA’s Budget and Priorities,” Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden testifies during a U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Astrophysicist, American Museum of Natural History and Director, Hayden Planetarium Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson testifies during a U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 in Washington. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden testified at the same hearing prior to Tyson. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronauts, Reid Wiseman, left, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, right, watch as Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, appears before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)