Who is the billionaire pilot who completed the first private spacewalk?
Subscribe For Our Free Weekly IndyTech Newsletter!
Subscribe To Our Free IndyTech Newsletter
Subscribe To Our Free IndyTech Newsletter!
“SpaceX, while we have plenty of tasks awaiting us at home, from up here, Earth truly appears to be an ideal place.”
When Jared Isaacman made history by becoming the first person to participate in a commercial spacewalk, his words probably won't be remembered alongside famous astronaut quotes like “one small step for man” or “Houston, we have a problem.”
However, Mr. Isaacman—much like Neil Armstrong and Jack Swigert before him—will be remembered as a trailblazer in humanity’s journey into space. Although his mission differs in many respects from theirs, he has also carved out his own path as a pioneer.
Jared Isaacman previously invested in and took part in the first entirely commercial space mission, known as SpaceX’s Inspiration4, which took place in 2021. He entered orbit, spent three days in space, and then safely returned to the ocean.
He has made history by becoming the first person to participate in a commercial spacewalk during the Polaris Dawn mission this week. He was launched into space, reaching altitudes of 1,400 kilometers above Earth, and then performed a spacewalk, officially known as extravehicular activity (EVA), from the SpaceX capsule that transported him.
Mr. Isaacman did not reach space in the same way as the previous explorers. His journey into space didn't follow a prestigious background in the military or a career in science, for example.
His adventure in space truly began at the age of 16, in 1999, when he dropped out of high school and launched a company initially named United Bank Card, taking on the role of its CEO.
He continues to serve as the CEO of the company, which has undergone significant changes. Now operating under the name Shift4 Payments, the firm brands itself as a “global leader in financial technology.” According to their claims, they handle over $260 billion in payments each year, contributing to Mr. Isaacman’s status as a billionaire.
He launched the company on the stock market in 2020. Currently, his estimated wealth surpasses $2 billion.
The financial rewards from his achievements have allowed Mr. Isaacman to soar through the skies multiple times. He holds certifications to pilot various types of aircraft, including military jets, and has even set records for circumnavigating the globe in them.
He has merged those interests together. In addition to managing Shift4, he established Drake International, a company that leases fighter jets that were once used by the military.
Many people first became familiar with Mr. Isaacman in 2021 when he unveiled his Inspiration4 mission with SpaceX. He funded the journey himself but decided to offer the three other seats in the spacecraft to others. One seat was awarded to Sian Proctor, a professor and science communicator; another went to Hayley Arceneaux, a healthcare worker and cancer survivor; and the third was given to Christopher Sembroski, whose friend had won the seat in a charity raffle but had to forfeit it due to weight limitations.
SpaceX keeps its prices for space tourism trips under wraps, and Mr. Isaacman hasn't revealed the amount he's invested in these adventures. However, it's probable that the total falls within the hundreds of millions.
Mr. Isaacman has utilized these journeys to enhance his flying experience, while also turning them into opportunities for charitable work. His mission, Inspiration4, successfully collected over $250 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
He continues to reside in New Jersey, the place of his childhood, along with his wife and two daughters. His partner, Monica, also grew up in the same town and appears to have a similar passion for flying and adventurous activities, although she hasn't participated in a space mission yet.
