The $100 Billion Promise: How NASA is Returning to The Moon | Jared Isaacman on The a16z Show

Morgan Brennan speaks with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman about the next phase of American space exploration and the urgency behind returning to the moon. They discuss the Artemis program, the challenges of cost, speed, and execution, and how a new competitive landscape is reshaping NASA’s priorities. The conversation covers the role of public-private partnerships, the rise of commercial space companies, and the need to rebuild core capabilities within NASA. Isaacman also outlines how the agency is shifting toward faster iteration, clearer demand signals for industry, and a more focused strategy to compete in what he describes as a new space race. Timestamps: 00:00 - Trailer 00:47 - Keynote: Why America Must Win the Moon Race 05:04 - Standardizing SLS & Building the Moon Base Step by Step 08:35 - NASA Force & Rebuilding Core Competencies 13:18 - Restructuring Artemis: A Smarter Path to the Lunar Surface 19:24 - Why Going Back to the Moon Matters 21:43 - Nuclear Propulsion & the Timeline to Mars 24:00 - NASA's Role vs Industry & the Space Economy Resources: Follow Jared Isaacman on X: https://twitter.com/rookisaacman Follow Morgan Brennan on X: https://twitter.com/MorganLBrennan Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends! Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures.

Jared IsaacmanguestMorgan Brennanhost

May 6, 202628mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: May 6, 2026
Duration: 28m
Channel: a16z
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Morgan Brennan speaks with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman about the next phase of American space exploration and the urgency behind returning to the moon. They discuss the Artemis program, the challenges of cost, speed, and execution, and how a new competitive landscape is reshaping NASA’s priorities. The conversation covers the role of public-private partnerships, the rise of commercial space companies, and the need to rebuild core capabilities within NASA. Isaacman also outlines how the agency is shifting toward faster iteration, clearer demand signals for industry, and a more focused strategy to compete in what he describes as a new space race. Timestamps: 00:00 - Trailer 00:47 - Keynote: Why America Must Win the Moon Race 05:04 - Standardizing SLS & Building the Moon Base Step by Step 08:35 - NASA Force & Rebuilding Core Competencies 13:18 - Restructuring Artemis: A Smarter Path to the Lunar Surface 19:24 - Why Going Back to the Moon Matters 21:43 - Nuclear Propulsion & the Timeline to Mars 24:00 - NASA's Role vs Industry & the Space Economy Resources: Follow Jared Isaacman on X: https://twitter.com/rookisaacman Follow Morgan Brennan on X: https://twitter.com/MorganLBrennan Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends! Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures.

SPEAKERS

Jared Isaacman
guest
Entrepreneur and commercial astronaut serving as NASA Administrator, focused on public-private space strategy and lunar/Mars exploration.
Morgan Brennan
host
Journalist and interviewer who moderates on-stage conversations and conducts Q&A with featured guests.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of a16z, featuring Jared Isaacman and Morgan Brennan, The $100 Billion Promise: How NASA is Returning to The Moon | Jared Isaacman on The a16z Show explores jared Isaacman’s plan to speed Artemis and secure lunar leadership Isaacman frames returning to the Moon as a national promise with major national-security stakes after decades of commitment and roughly $100B spent.

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