A former NASA administrator is leading a national defense company

Bridenstine joins a company with about 75 employees, founded by billionaire entrepreneur Kam Ghaffarian, who previously founded two other aerospace companies, Intuitive Machines and Axiom Space. Quantum Space is currently privately held, having raised $80 million in Series A funding, and Bridenstine said he will consider further funding opportunities.

The company plans to launch its first Ranger aircraft in July 2027 to demonstrate a range of vehicle capabilities. Quantum is developing some space products, but it wants more from the industry, including some of the ones it can drive.

Glad to see Artemis on board

While at NASA, Bridenstine developed the Artemis Program, which represents the space agency’s efforts to return humans to the Moon more sustainably than Apollo. During his time leading NASA, Bridenstine promoted commercial space as a way to reduce NASA’s costs and increase its capabilities. Now they hope to be the next generation of real estate companies doing the same for the US military.

Bridenstine said he praised the efforts of NASA administrator Jared Isaacman. to increase the cadence of Artemis to accelerate America’s return to the Moon.

“I think it’s important, and I think he’s making the right decisions for the right reasons,” Bridenstine said of Isaacman’s actions. “I also think it’s overdue. They talk about making sure we strengthen our muscle memory, and that’s what we need to do. I’m very happy with Artemis II’s success. We need to benefit from Artemis II’s success.”

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine wanted the agency to return to the Moon “quickly” but safely.

Although he was five years removed from NASA when Artemis II launched on April 1, with four astronauts, Bridenstine said he was moved, and felt like he was part of the process.

He said: “I was watching the delay, then I saw the clock going down to T-9:59, and I was like we’re going,” he said. It was strange that suddenly my heart started beating fast, my palms were sweating, and I suddenly broke down.