U.S. Senator Jerry Moran hosted NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman in Kansas on April 7 to tour local aerospace manufacturers involved in the Artemis II rocket and space capsule project, according to a press release from Moran’s office. The visit included stops at DJ Engineering in Augusta, Globe Engineering in Wichita, meetings with local aerospace and community leaders, as well as a tour of the Cosmosphere space museum in Hutchinson.
The event aimed to highlight the contributions of Kansas-based companies to national space efforts. During their time at the Cosmosphere, Moran and Isaacman participated in a ribbon cutting for the newly renovated Hall of Space.
“The road to space runs through Kansas, and I appreciate Administrator Isaacman taking the time to visit and witness firsthand the contributions of our aerospace manufacturers,” said Moran. “Wichita is the Air Capital of the World because of the extraordinary engineers, designers and manufacturers who have invested in our aerospace industry. The successful launch of Artemis II marks a new era of American leadership in space, and this achievement would not be possible without the hard work and ingenuity of the Kansas workforce. I’m grateful for Administrator Isaacman’s leadership and for accepting my invitation to visit Kansas, and I would also like to extend a special thank you to DJ Engineering, Globe Engineering, the Cosmosphere, and all the local leaders in Wichita and Hutchinson for hosting us.”
Moran serves on several Senate committees including Veterans’ Affairs as well as Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry according to his official website. He has represented Kansas’s 1st Congressional District for seven terms before serving as senator according to his official website. His educational background includes an economics degree from Fort Hays State University with further studies at University of Kansas followed by earning a Juris Doctor from University of Kansas School of Law according to his official website.
Before entering Congress, Moran worked as a banker according to his official website. He is also known for supporting veterans’ issues along with advocating for agriculture interests within his state according to his official website. On a personal note, he has two daughters and four grandchildren according to his official website.
The broader impact highlighted by this event centers on recognizing regional expertise that contributes directly toward national achievements such as Artemis II while fostering relationships between federal agencies like NASA and communities central to American innovation.
