NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman urged a crowd of students overflowing from the Howe Hall atrium on Tuesday, Sept. 9 to join in “the most exciting era of exploration since Apollo.”

“We are going to need the best and brightest to help us achieve our near-impossible missions,” Isaacman said. “And Iowa State is already preparing so many of you to do exactly that.”

The visit to Ames from NASA’s top leader included a tour of Ames National Laboratory and Department of Aerospace Engineering initiatives, highlighting the work of the Iowa Space Grant Consortium, Make to Innovate, and more. Iowa State University has a long history of supporting NASA’s mission through research, education, and workforce development.

Going to the moon won’t be just a story from history books, Isaacman told students.

“Your generation will more than witness it – you’re going to be part of it. You’re going to be the builders, the operators, the astronauts contributing to what is the greatest adventure in human history.”

Read the full article on news.engineering.iastate.edu

Original Post Date: 9.6.2026

Author Credit: Iowa State University

Image Credit: Iowa State University