The following is the transcript of an interview with NASA administrator Jared Isaacman that aired on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on July 5, 2026.ED O’KEEFE: We turn now to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, who’s back on the ground after his fourth of July flyover. Yes, he was one of those piloting one of those jets right there. I think you’re going to stand in Face the Nation history as the first to ever pilot a flyover and then show up for the show. So, we appreciate it. Thanks for being here.JARED ISAACMAN, NASA ADMINISTRATOR: I was grateful to participate in such a historic event, as was yesterday, and to be here today and talk about such an amazing subject.AdvertisementAdvertisementED O’KEEFE: Yeah, and it’s part of why we wanted you here, because I think we’ve reflected on the last few months about how Artemis especially, really seemed to bring the country, and to some extent, the world back together to- to focus on this common journey back into the great beyond. Why, in your view, is it so important that America maintain a presence in space?ISAACMAN: Well, I’ve- I’ve been lucky to be in space twice and have that perspective and appreciation for just the scale of it all. I mean, best way to describe it, like we are understanding our progress on what I think is the greatest adventure in human history, is literally just dipping your toe in the grandest ocean of all. I mean, just an appreciation, …
