Jared Isaacman went into space on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket: 5 facts about the billionaire
11 september 2024 в 00:37
Jared Isaacman launched on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Tuesday — this is his second trip to space.
Striving to complete the first private spacewalk and set a post-Apollo record for altitude, the billionaire set off as commander on board with his close friend Scott 'Kidd' Poteet, a retired Air Force pilot, and two SpaceX engineers, Anna Menon and Sara Gillis.
«When people walked on the Moon, I wasn’t even born yet. I would like my children to see people walking on the Moon and Mars, and exploring our solar system», - said the 41-year-old billionaire, who funded the flight, before takeoff.
The spacecraft named Resilience will enter an orbit that will lift the crew to a height of up to 870 miles (1400 km) above Earth, surpassing the record for orbiting Earth set during NASA’s Gemini project in 1966.
Here are 5 things to know about the daring billionaire.
Isaacman is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and pilot known for his ambitious ventures in technology, aviation, and space exploration. His net worth is estimated at $ 1.9 billion, according to Forbes.
But at 16, he dropped out of high school in New Jersey to get a GED and work at a credit card processing company called Merchant Services, Inc.
«I was lucky to get a job in an industry that was very imperfect and had a lot of room for improvement», - said Isaacman, who soon left to start his own payment company. He named it United Bank Card, thinking it sounded like the name of a respected financial institution.
Isaacman holds a bachelor’s degree in professional aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Isaacman’s entrepreneurial journey began at a young age. By 19, he had transitioned from computer repair business to the world of payments, launching what eventually became Shift4 Payments.
Under his leadership, the company grew into a multi-billion dollar business, processing over $ 200 billion in payments annually and serving businesses in various industries.
In addition to business, Isaacman is an experienced pilot with a deep passion for aviation, especially its history, «especially World War II», - he recalled.
He mentioned that he «started playing aviation simulators as a child on the computer» and now holds several world records in aviation, including a round-the-world flight in 2009, which raised money and brought attention to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
His aviation skills and experience were crucial in his next major venture: space.
In September 2021, Isaacman garnered attention by commanding the Inspiration4 mission, a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft flight that sent four civilians into orbit for three days. The mission, ultimately raising over $ 240 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, was a breakthrough achievement in the emerging field of commercial space travel.
Isaacman, who funded the mission, chose three other civilians to join him, representing «leadership», - «hope», - «generosity», - and «prosperity».
Jared and his wife Monica (nee Chakana) have been together for almost 20 years, but they only married around 2012. Both grew up in the same town, attended the same high school, and Monica eventually became Isaacman’s 12th employee.
Speaking about his wife, Jared said, «Monica understands. She knows exactly what I do in life: I work».
The couple welcomed their first child, Mila, in 2014, followed by a second daughter, Liv. Jared often gives glimpses of his life with his daughters on social media
Striving to complete the first private spacewalk and set a post-Apollo record for altitude, the billionaire set off as commander on board with his close friend Scott 'Kidd' Poteet, a retired Air Force pilot, and two SpaceX engineers, Anna Menon and Sara Gillis.
«When people walked on the Moon, I wasn’t even born yet. I would like my children to see people walking on the Moon and Mars, and exploring our solar system», - said the 41-year-old billionaire, who funded the flight, before takeoff.
The spacecraft named Resilience will enter an orbit that will lift the crew to a height of up to 870 miles (1400 km) above Earth, surpassing the record for orbiting Earth set during NASA’s Gemini project in 1966.
Here are 5 things to know about the daring billionaire.
Isaacman is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and pilot known for his ambitious ventures in technology, aviation, and space exploration. His net worth is estimated at $ 1.9 billion, according to Forbes.
But at 16, he dropped out of high school in New Jersey to get a GED and work at a credit card processing company called Merchant Services, Inc.
«I was lucky to get a job in an industry that was very imperfect and had a lot of room for improvement», - said Isaacman, who soon left to start his own payment company. He named it United Bank Card, thinking it sounded like the name of a respected financial institution.
Isaacman holds a bachelor’s degree in professional aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Isaacman’s entrepreneurial journey began at a young age. By 19, he had transitioned from computer repair business to the world of payments, launching what eventually became Shift4 Payments.
Under his leadership, the company grew into a multi-billion dollar business, processing over $ 200 billion in payments annually and serving businesses in various industries.
In addition to business, Isaacman is an experienced pilot with a deep passion for aviation, especially its history, «especially World War II», - he recalled.
He mentioned that he «started playing aviation simulators as a child on the computer» and now holds several world records in aviation, including a round-the-world flight in 2009, which raised money and brought attention to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
His aviation skills and experience were crucial in his next major venture: space.
In September 2021, Isaacman garnered attention by commanding the Inspiration4 mission, a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft flight that sent four civilians into orbit for three days. The mission, ultimately raising over $ 240 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, was a breakthrough achievement in the emerging field of commercial space travel.
Isaacman, who funded the mission, chose three other civilians to join him, representing «leadership», - «hope», - «generosity», - and «prosperity».
Jared and his wife Monica (nee Chakana) have been together for almost 20 years, but they only married around 2012. Both grew up in the same town, attended the same high school, and Monica eventually became Isaacman’s 12th employee.
Speaking about his wife, Jared said, «Monica understands. She knows exactly what I do in life: I work».
The couple welcomed their first child, Mila, in 2014, followed by a second daughter, Liv. Jared often gives glimpses of his life with his daughters on social media
© Artemenko Olga
