Jared Isaacman
American businessman, pilot, and private astronaut From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Jared Taylor Isaacman (born February 11, 1983) is an American businessman, pilot, philanthropist, and commercial astronaut who has been the 15th and current Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration since 2025. He is the founder of Draken International. He is the founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments.
Isaacman was the commander of Inspiration4, a private spaceflight using SpaceX's Crew Dragon Resilience. It launched from Kennedy Space Center in 2021. The mission was part of a fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.[3] Isaacman commanded the Polaris Dawn mission, the first private spaceflight part of the Polaris Program.
In December 2024, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Isaacman to serve as the Administrator of NASA under his second administration.[4] However, in May 2025, Trump withdrew Isaacman's nomination. He was renominated by Trump on November 4, 2025.[5]
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Early life
Isaacman was born on February 11, 1983, in Summit, New Jersey.[6] He was raised in Westfield, New Jersey.[7]
He studied at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide Campus,[8] where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Professional Aeronautics.[9]
Business career
In 1999, Isaacman founded a retail payment company named United Bank Card, which was later renamed Harbortouch. He was the founding CEO.[10] By 2020, the company had been renamed Shift4 Payments.[11]
In 2012, he co-founded Draken International, a company that trains pilots for the United States Armed Forces.[12] In 2024, his estimated net worth is US$1.9 billion.[13][14]
Pilot career
Isaacman is a qualified military jet aircraft pilot.[11] Isaacman has performed in airshows with his Black Diamond Jet Team that he co-founded in 2010.[15]
In April 2009, he set a world record for traveling around the globe in a light jet, making the flight in 61:51:15, about 20 hours faster than the last record of 82 hours.[16]
Spaceflight
In February 2021, Isaacman announced that he would be commander of Inspiration4, the first private human spaceflight.[17] The mission was operated by SpaceX, on board a Crew Dragon spacecraft launched by a Falcon 9 launch vehicle.[17][18][19]
On September 15, 2021 (UTC), Inspiration4 launched and ended 3 days later.[20][21] During the Inspiration4 mission, Isaacman made the first-known sports bet from space.[22]
In September 2024, Isaacman commanded the Polaris Dawn mission, which is part of a crewed spaceflight program called the Polaris program.[19] Isaacman and Sarah Gillis exited the spacecraft.[23] Over the five-day flight, the crew performed about 40 different science experiments.[24] During this mission, Isaacman became the first private citizen to perform a spacewalk.[25]
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NASA administrator
Nominations
On December 4, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Isaacman to serve as the Administrator of NASA under his second administration.[4]
On May 31, 2025, it was reported that the White House had withdrawn Isaacman's nomination.[26] Trump later stated that the withdrawal was because of Isaacman’s "prior associations", referring to his past political donations to Democratic candidates.[27][28] However, it was also said that the withdrawal was a way to punish Elon Musk, as the decision came just days after he announced he would be pulling back from his role in the Trump Administration.[29]
Trump renominated Isaacman on November 4, 2025.[5] Isaacman's second senate confirmation hearing was held on December 3.[30][31][32] Isaacman was confirmed by the Senate on December 17 by a vote of 67–30.[33]
Tenure
Isaacman was officially sworn as NASA Administrator on December 18, 2025.[34] On the same day, Trump signed an executive order telling NASA to return American astronauts to the Moon by 2028 and to create a permanent lunar base with a nuclear reactor by 2030.[35]
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Personal life
Isaacman is Jewish, although he has said that he is not religious.[36]
Isaacman is married to Monica Isaacman. They have two daughters.[24] Isaacman lives in Warren County, New Jersey.[37]
References
Other websites
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