Washington: Former commercial astronaut Jared Isaacman returned to Congress on Wednesday for his second confirmation hearing to lead NASA, telling the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee that the US faces a narrowing window to maintain its edge in a higher-stakes space race.

According to Anadolu Agency, Isaacman, renominated last month by President Donald Trump after his initial May nomination was withdrawn for political reasons, voiced full support for the Artemis lunar program and defended his draft reform blueprint, Project Athena. Isaacman said, "We are in a great competition with a rival that has the will and means to challenge American exceptionalism," warning that China's rapid advances in spaceflight demand "full-time leadership," in reference to current interim administrator Sean Duffy, who is also serving as transportation secretary.

As NASA prepares to send astronauts around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years, Isaacman emphasized the urgency of the mission, stating, "This is not the time for delay, but for action, because if we fall behind - if we make a mistake - we may never catch up."

Senators questioned Isaacman about leaks of his 62-page Athena plan by allies of Duffy during a political struggle in the fall. Opponents had suggested the draft signaled sweeping disruption to NASA field centers. Isaacman dismissed the criticism, stating excerpts were "taken out of context" from what he described as a "living document." He affirmed, "I do stand behind everything in the document . I think it was all directionally correct," noting that it would have been refined with real data if he had been confirmed this spring.

According to Ars Technica, Project Athena outlines a bid to return NASA to "achieving the near impossible," prioritizing deep-space exploration, accelerating the commercial space economy, and maximizing scientific output by partnering more aggressively with private industry.

Senators have given Isaacman an expedited deadline of Sunday to respond to written questions, signaling a potential committee vote as early as next week. If advanced, his nomination could reach the Senate floor before the winter recess. Despite losing roughly six months of potential tenure due to the earlier withdrawal, Isaacman now appears to hold stronger political footing, having built closer ties with Trump and senior White House advisers, leverage he would likely use to steer NASA through what he characterizes as a decisive moment in the global space race.