Ed

So let's get into that now. How did the conversation lead to you becoming the nominee to administer NASA? Were you in conversations with Elon first? Is that how this kind of began for you?

So let's get into that now. How did the conversation lead to you becoming the nominee to administer NASA? Were you in conversations with Elon first? Is that how this kind of began for you?

He said, hop on a plane, come out here. Having a lot of friends of mine who are serving in this administration, your story sounds familiar, that folks that are close to this whole group that was sitting at Mar-a-Lago for several weeks and months after the election, I've heard a lot of similar stories that folks got called saying, hey, would you like to consider something?

He said, hop on a plane, come out here. Having a lot of friends of mine who are serving in this administration, your story sounds familiar, that folks that are close to this whole group that was sitting at Mar-a-Lago for several weeks and months after the election, I've heard a lot of similar stories that folks got called saying, hey, would you like to consider something?

And it was very open ended. It's like, we've gotten to know you, we trust you, you're reliable. But most importantly, we're looking for folks that have experience and acumen in operating a business in understanding how to manage at scale, and really have a similar sort of belief system, I would say to the folks that were stepping in to run this administration. So

And it was very open ended. It's like, we've gotten to know you, we trust you, you're reliable. But most importantly, we're looking for folks that have experience and acumen in operating a business in understanding how to manage at scale, and really have a similar sort of belief system, I would say to the folks that were stepping in to run this administration. So

I do think what you're saying sounds like what I've heard and makes a lot of sense to me. So you then fly out to Mar-a-Lago. What was that like?

I do think what you're saying sounds like what I've heard and makes a lot of sense to me. So you then fly out to Mar-a-Lago. What was that like?

Who coached you on your one pager and what did it say?

Who coached you on your one pager and what did it say?

There's a lot in there we should unpack. I want to just get your perspective on the arc of NASA. You know, NASA is a storied institution, inspirational to many. You and me the same, I still wear a NASA hat with pride often. But you know, the agency from an outsider's perspective feels like it's become a laggard. It feels like it's kind of lost a little bit of its luster. Why is that?

There's a lot in there we should unpack. I want to just get your perspective on the arc of NASA. You know, NASA is a storied institution, inspirational to many. You and me the same, I still wear a NASA hat with pride often. But you know, the agency from an outsider's perspective feels like it's become a laggard. It feels like it's kind of lost a little bit of its luster. Why is that?

Do I have that wrong? And if I don't, what has happened to the administration of the agency over the decades that's led to this moment?

Do I have that wrong? And if I don't, what has happened to the administration of the agency over the decades that's led to this moment?

A hundred percent. I mean, man, what you're saying resonates with me so much. It's not just NASA. It's across the federal government. I've spent enough time now interacting with folks and meeting with folks and hearing similar stories. It's just the chaos that builds with scale, with age, with bureaucracy, with competing interests that all have to be met. And you end up diluting everything away.

A hundred percent. I mean, man, what you're saying resonates with me so much. It's not just NASA. It's across the federal government. I've spent enough time now interacting with folks and meeting with folks and hearing similar stories. It's just the chaos that builds with scale, with age, with bureaucracy, with competing interests that all have to be met. And you end up diluting everything away.

It's so frustrating to hear that.

It's so frustrating to hear that.

And do you think there's a way to fix it without Congress or is the only way to fix it without Congress? Meaning there needs to be no Congress if we have a shot at fixing this and there needs to be a different governing model.

And do you think there's a way to fix it without Congress or is the only way to fix it without Congress? Meaning there needs to be no Congress if we have a shot at fixing this and there needs to be a different governing model.