Billionaire Isaacman Embarks on Historic Private Space Walk

Introduction

Jared Isaacman, the billionaire founder of Shift4 Payments, made history on Saturday, March 30th, 2022, when he became the first private citizen to conduct a spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS). The spacewalk, which lasted for almost seven hours, was part of the Inspiration4 mission, a privately funded spaceflight that aimed to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Isaacman's Spacewalk

Isaacman's spacewalk began at 8:02 a.m. EDT when he exited the ISS's airlock with fellow crew member Chris Sembroski. The two astronauts spent the next several hours installing a variety of upgrades to the station's exterior, including a new antenna and a 3D-printed bracket for a camera. Isaacman and Sembroski also took the opportunity to take some stunning photographs of Earth from space.

The spacewalk was not without its challenges. At one point, Isaacman's spacesuit began to leak water, which forced him to cut the spacewalk short. However, Isaacman was able to safely return to the ISS, and the mission was ultimately a success.

Significance of the Mission

Isaacman's spacewalk is a significant milestone in the history of space exploration. It is the first time that a private citizen has conducted a spacewalk, and it marks a new era of space exploration in which private companies are playing an increasingly important role.

The Inspiration4 mission has also raised over $230 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. This money will be used to fund research into childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Conclusion

Jared Isaacman's historic spacewalk is a testament to the power of human ingenuity and determination. It is a reminder that anything is possible if we set our minds to it. Isaacman's mission has inspired countless people around the world, and it is sure to have a lasting impact on the future of space exploration.