Trump’s unconventional NASA pick signals Mars intentions in confirmation hearing

President Donald Trump’s pick to run NASA, Jared Isaacman, made waves Wednesday by signaling his intention to create a new focus on Mars exploration.

A confirmation hearing for Isaacman — the billionaire CEO of payments platform company Shift4 who has twice paid to fly aboard SpaceX capsules — kicked off before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation at 10 a.m. ET. The committee is not expected to vote on Isaacman’s confirmation until after lawmakers reconvene from a two-week break that ends April 28.

During the hearing, Isaacman faced wide-ranging questions about how NASA’s priorities might change under his leadership.