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The original was posted on /r/space by /u/ChiefLeef22 on 2025-11-03 17:04:43+00:00.
Original Title: In recent weeks, copies of an intriguing policy document have leaked and started to spread among space lobbyists on Capitol Hill in Washington. The document bears the title “Athena,” and purports to summarize the actions that Jared Isaacman would take, were his nomination to lead NASA was confirmed
In the big picture, this leak appears to be part of a campaign by interim NASA Administrator Sean Duffy to either hold onto the high-profile job or, at the very least, prejudice the re-nomination of Isaacman to lead the space agency. Additionally, it is also being spread by legacy aerospace contractors who seek to protect their interests from the Trump administration’s goal of controlling spending and leaning into commercial space.
ATHENA:
The leaked document is 62 pages long and, according to sources, represents a pared-down version of a more comprehensive “Athena” plan devised by Isaacman and his advisors early in 2025, after President Trump nominated him to become NASA administrator.
The Athena plan lays out a blueprint for Isaacman’s tenure at NASA, seeking to return the space agency to “achieving the near impossible,” focusing on leading the world in human space exploration, igniting the space economy, and becoming a force multiplier for science.
Isaacman’s nomination was pulled in late May, largely for political reasons. Trump then appointed his Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, to oversee NASA on an interim basis in early July. As a courtesy, in August, Isaacman’s team edited a shorter version of the plan down to 62 pages and gave a copy to Duffy and his chief of staff, Pete Meachum.
According to sources, these were the only copies of the pared-down Athena plan distributed, so the initial leak came from either Duffy, Meachum, or someone acting on their behalf several weeks ago. Since then the document has been percolating among space lobbyists and policy officials. In recent days it has also been leaked to several reporters via multiple channels.
Two sources indicated that Duffy shared the plan with traditional space contractors as part of an effort to build support for his remaining time at NASA, perhaps permanently, as administrator. Duffy has sought to hold onto the job even as Trump has begun to reconsider his decision on Isaacman, and the president appeared to be moving toward renominating the private astronaut and billionaire to lead the space agency.