Washington, D.C. — Former NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, renowned for spending a year aboard the International Space Station, attended an Ispace watch party in the nation’s capital on Thursday, where he expressed enthusiasm for the company’s ventures in space exploration. Kelly was there to show his support for Ron Garan, a fellow astronaut and the chairman of Ispace.

“Ispace’s initiatives are truly exciting,” Kelly commented. “However, as with all space endeavors, challenges persist. Ron mentioned that they have met many of their objectives, which is a positive sign.” His remarks reflect a blend of optimism and realism about the difficulties faced in the space industry.

During the event, Kelly also addressed ongoing discussions surrounding space policy on Capitol Hill. His comments came in the wake of President Donald Trump’s recent decision to withdraw support for Jared Isaacman, who had been nominated as NASA administrator and is an advocate for commercial space travel.

“It’s very disappointing,” Kelly remarked about Isaacman’s situation. “He is an exceptional candidate, uniquely qualified for this pivotal moment. His leadership would have been invaluable for the agency.”

Turning attention to Trump’s shifting focus on space exploration, Kelly noted the president’s aim to prioritize Mars missions while balancing efforts to return astronauts to the Moon. He emphasized the important need for continuity within NASA’s strategic planning.

“When a new administration takes office, NASA often finds itself at the mercy of changing priorities,” Kelly said. “It’s crucial for us to maintain momentum. My brother, Senator Mark Kelly, has stressed that an incoming administration shouldn’t automatically discard the plans set by the previous one.”

Addressing a potential budget cut proposed by Trump, which aims to reduce NASA’s science funding by nearly half, Kelly expressed grave concerns. “If that happens, NASA will be severely compromised,” he warned. “Investing in science is essential for the future of space exploration and technology advancements.”

As discussions continue in Washington about the direction of U.S. space policy, supporters of the sector hope that visionary leadership and stable funding will prevail, enabling the country to push the boundaries of exploration and innovation.