# Jared Isaacman

> Jared Taylor Isaacman is an American entrepreneur, pilot and commercial astronaut serving as NASA’s 15th administrator since December 18, 2025. He founded United Bank Card in 1999, the payments business that became Harbortouch and later Shift4, co-founded Draken International, and commanded Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn, including the first commercial spacewalk in 2024.

- **Role:** Administrator at NASA
- **Organizations:** NASA, Shift4, Harbortouch, United Bank Card, Draken International, Polaris Program, Inspiration4, Black Diamond Jet Team
- **From:** Summit, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide Campus, Honorary doctorate, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- **Known for:** Commanded the first all-civilian orbital spaceflight, Inspiration4, in September 2021., Commanded Polaris Dawn in September 2024 and participated in the first commercial spacewalk., Polaris Dawn reached 1,408.1 kilometers, the farthest humans had traveled from Earth since Apollo at the time.

## Career timeline

- **1999** — Founded United Bank Card at age 16 in his parents’ basement in New Jersey.
- **2009** — Circumnavigated the globe in a Cessna Citation CJ2 in 61 hours, 51 minutes, 15 seconds.
- **2011** — Graduated from Embry-Riddle; co-founded Draken International according to NASA’s biography; Harbortouch launched its no-upfront-cost POS program.
- **2012** — United Bank Card adopted the Harbortouch name.
- **2017** — Lighthouse Network, which included Harbortouch, acquired the original Shift4 payment gateway business.
- **2019** — Sold a majority stake in Draken International to Blackstone.
- **2020** — Took Shift4 public on the New York Stock Exchange.
- **2021** — Commanded Inspiration4, the first all-civilian orbital mission.
- **2024** — Commanded Polaris Dawn and performed the first commercial spacewalk alongside Sarah Gillis.
- **2025-06** — Left the Shift4 CEO role; Taylor Lauber became CEO effective June 5. Isaacman became executive chairman.
- **2025-12** — Confirmed by the Senate on December 17 and sworn in as NASA administrator on December 18; resigned from Shift4’s board and executive chairmanship.

## Achievements

- Commanded the first all-civilian orbital spaceflight, Inspiration4, in September 2021.
- Commanded Polaris Dawn in September 2024 and participated in the first commercial spacewalk.
- Polaris Dawn reached 1,408.1 kilometers, the farthest humans had traveled from Earth since Apollo at the time.
- Built the payments business that became Harbortouch and Shift4; Shift4 went public in 2020.
- Set a 2009 around-the-world light-jet record.
- Became the 15th NASA administrator in December 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — At an October 23 briefing, said Artemis III remained planned for an Earth-orbit docking test in summer 2027 and Artemis IV for a lunar landing in 2028; these are targets, not completed missions.
- **2026-05** — Returned to Huntsville for the opening of Space Camp’s Innovation4 Skills Training Center; Axios reported that he donates his NASA salary to Space Camp.
- **2026-04** — Led NASA when Artemis II launched on April 1, sending four astronauts on a lunar flyby.
- **2025-12** — Sworn in as NASA administrator on December 18 after Senate confirmation the previous day.

## Links

- Website: https://polarisprogram.com/team/jared-isaacman/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/rookisaacman
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rookisaacman/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/jared-isaacman
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-26