This is Project Athena: The plan to modernize NASA and run it “more like a business”

“Project Athena” has been creating a stir with the 62-page document given the unofficial title of a confidential policy manifesto that was leaked and circulated on Capitol Hill.

This draft document proposed sweeping organizational and strategic changes for NASA, including: accelerating human space exploration, especially towards Mars using nuclear propulsion.

Transitioning the Artemis lunar program to a more commercially-driven model.

Streamlining the agency and making it run “more like a business” by potentially pivoting NASA away from certain taxpayer-funded climate science efforts.

The plan was reportedly developed by teams associated with Jared Isaacman, a private astronaut and entrepreneur who was considered for the role of NASA Administrator. It does not represent official NASA policy.

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