Tech billionaire Jared Isaacman steps out in space for first-ever private spacewalk after traveling further than no man has gone in 50 years

Jared Isaacman (born February 11, 1983) is an American entrepreneur, pilot, philanthropist, and commercial astronaut. He is the founder of Draken International, a private air force provider, and the CEO of Shift4 Payments, a payment processing company. As of September 2024, his net worth is estimated at $1.9 billion.

Isaacman was the commander of Inspiration4, the first all-civilian spaceflight using SpaceX's Crew Dragon Resilience. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center on September 16, 2021, and orbited Earth for three days before returning. The flight raised funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, to which Isaacman personally pledged $100 million.

He is currently commanding the Polaris Dawn mission, part of the Polaris Program, a series of private spaceflights.

### Early Life

Jared Isaacman was born to Donald and Sandra Marie Isaacman on February 11, 1983. He is the youngest of four siblings—Marc, Michael, and Tiffany—and grew up in a Jewish family.

### Career

#### Business

In 1999, Isaacman founded United Bank Card, a payment processing company later renamed Harbortouch, which became Shift4 Payments. By 2020, Shift4 was processing $200 billion annually.

In 2012, Isaacman co-founded Draken International, a company that provides military training services using one of the largest fleets of privately-owned fighter jets.

#### Pilot

Isaacman is qualified to fly multiple military jet aircraft and has performed in airshows with his Black Diamond Jet Team, which he co-founded. In 2009, he set a world record for circumnavigating the globe in a light jet in just under 62 hours, raising funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

### Spaceflight

#### Inspiration4

In February 2021, Isaacman announced his role as commander of Inspiration4, the first all-civilian human spaceflight, operated by SpaceX. The crew launched aboard a Crew Dragon spacecraft on September 15, 2021, and safely returned after three days in orbit. During the mission, Isaacman made the first-known sports bet from space.

#### Polaris Dawn

Isaacman is currently leading the Polaris Dawn mission, part of the Polaris Program. This mission, which includes crew members Scott Poteet, Sarah Gillis, and Anna Menon, reached a record-breaking apogee of 1,400 km. The crew also completed a multi-hour EVA (spacewalk) and will conduct approximately 40 science experiments during the five-day mission. They are also demonstrating Starlink laser communications in space.

### Personal Life

Isaacman began flying lessons in 2004 and set a world record in 2009. He earned a bachelor's degree in professional aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2011. He is married and has two daughters. Though Jewish, he has said he is not particularly religious.