00:00Mr. Chairman, as ranking member of the Aviation and Space Subcommittee, I am looking forward to getting a bipartisan NASA reauthorization done
00:07to make sure that NASA is able to execute its mission with a consistent vision and congressional support,
00:13free of undue influence from any temporary government employees.
00:17According to the Global Counterspace Capabilities Report published this month,
00:20the PRC is rapidly advancing a broad spectrum of counterspace capabilities
00:25as part of a sustained push to secure military power in orbit and expand their presence in space.
00:30The PRC has also started building its second satellite internet constellation in lower Earth orbit
00:35and has committed to continued human presence in Leo at its Tiangong Space Station.
00:41More than ever, NASA's missions need to be consistent and laser-focused
00:45and avoid major subversions of mission priorities and diversion of funds,
00:48not only for our global space leadership but also for national security.
00:52I'm going to, Mr. Eichmann asked you a couple of yes-no questions,
00:58but first I just want to say that a sustained human presence in low Earth orbit is crucial
01:03for advancing scientific research, testing technologies for future deep space missions
01:07and fostering a thriving economy and global leadership as Leo serves as a unique environment
01:12for research, development and training due to its microgravity environment.
01:16By supporting extended human operations in Leo, NASA can test exploration systems, conduct human research
01:21and maintain operational expertise vitals for missions on the Moon and to Mars.
01:27These are not things that can be done by machine alone,
01:29and a gap in our human presence in Leo will likely result in ceding our leadership to the PRC.
01:34Mr. Eichmann, do you support maintaining continuous human presence in low Earth orbit?
01:39I do, Senator.
01:40I think if reusability has given us anything, it's a very affordable path to send American astronauts to and from low Earth orbit.
01:50Elon Musk has suggested that the International Space Station's strategic value has run its course
01:54and should be de-orbited as soon as possible to focus on a mission to Mars.
02:00And that's a quote he said, as soon as possible.
02:02For the last 26 years, the strategic value of the International Space Station has been invaluable,
02:08serving as a beacon of the United States' global leadership
02:11and a symbol of what we can accomplish through international cooperation.
02:14Funnily enough, although I don't think it's very funny at all,
02:18SpaceX has been awarded the contract to de-orbit the International Space Station.
02:22Mr. Eichmann, do you believe there's still utility in maintaining a U.S. presence on the ISS
02:26at least through 2030 as currently planned?
02:29Senator, as I mentioned, my prepared remarks, I think we need to use up every bit of life
02:34that's remaining on the International Space Station so we can crack the code on the space economy
02:38and better hand off those responsibilities to commercial industry.
02:43I am familiar with Mr. Musk's remarks in that.
02:47I do think he is a very accomplished entrepreneur.
02:49I would like to understand his rationale behind that,
02:52just as I think Administrator Webb would want to hear from all of the commercial contract leaders
02:57from the 1960s during the space race.
02:59But you don't think that we should de-orbit the ISS now?
03:03I do not think we should de-orbit it now.
03:05I think we need to make the most use of the space station while we have it
03:09and figure out what we can accomplish in the unique environment of microgravity
03:12and figure out the space economy for commercial Leo.
03:16The Artemis program is critical in our effort to return to the moon,
03:20and returning to the moon is seen as a stepping stone for broader human exploration
03:23and critical for scientific discovery, advancing technology,
03:27and as a necessary preparation for eventually progressing to human mission to Mars.
03:34I know a few of my colleagues already today have tried to get a specific answer out of you,
03:38but you have avoided directly answering them today.
03:40So I ask again, Mr. Isaacsman, do you support maintaining NASA's long-term mission
03:49to maintain a human activity on the moon?
03:52Senator, and I'm sorry if I'm not sounding clear on this,
03:56I think it's imperative that we do both.
03:59I think that's what NASA was created to do.
04:01I would love nothing more than to see this crew get around the moon for us to land on the moon,
04:05figure out its scientific, economic, national security value,
04:08while we were also charting a course in line with President Trump's vision
04:12for American astronauts to plant the stars and stripes on Mars.
04:15So you think we can do both simultaneously?
04:16I mean, we do multiple flagship scientific missions at NASA.
04:20We maintain a presence in Leo where we're undertaking dozens of scientific experiments at once.
04:26I think we can, ma'am.
04:27You think we can maintain a presence on the moon and a mission to Mars simultaneously?
04:31I think we can do the moon and Mars and beyond.
04:34Okay.
04:34I, you know, whatever we can do to support the space program, I'm on board.
04:41I just have one final question.
04:43I'm asking all the Trump nominees.
04:45If given an illegal or unconstitutional order by President Trump or your superiors,
04:49would you oppose it?
04:52I don't think President Trump would give an illegal order,
04:54but I would follow the law, ma'am.
04:56And you would oppose if he were?
04:59I don't believe the president would give me an illegal order, ma'am.
05:01Okay, that's fine.
05:03But if given an illegal or unconstitutional order, will you oppose it?
05:05I will always follow the law, ma'am.
05:08So is that a yes?
05:10You will oppose the illegal order if given one by either the president or your superiors?
05:15Senator, I will always follow the law.
05:18I'm out of time, Mr. Chairman.
05:22Senator Moreno.
05:22I'll start with you, Mrs. Trustee.
05:25Thank you so much for taking the time in my office.
05:27We did not know each other before meeting with you.
05:30Your parents are beaming with pride, which I love to see, with good reason.
05:37You're somebody who has an incredibly...
05:38Thank you so much for taking the time in my office.
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