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Photo by: SpaceX/NASA

SpaceX/NASA

Billionaire Buys SpaceX Orbital Flight for a Good Cause

By: Discovery

Jared Isaacman, US billionaire and the founder of payment processing tech start-up Shift4 has purchased the first all-civilian mission to space with SpaceX--but it isn't just a joyride.

February 02, 2021

In hopes to raise 200 million dollars for St. Jude Research Hospital, Isaacman has purchased an entire space flight. Making most of his money from tech and aerospace, Jared Isaacman will join three others in the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft in an orbital trip around Earth. The Dragon is no stranger to space--it is currently docked with the International Space Station after its second manned mission in conjunction with NASA.

Though the length of the trip is not determined, once the Dragon returns to earth and is assessed for safety, the capsule will launch using the Falcon-9 reusable rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The group who will be part of this trip will include a healthcare worker from St. Jude, a raffle winner from hospital donors, a business owner who uses Shift4, and of course, Mr. Isaacman.

The group, deemed the "Inspriation4" will be well prepared for their journey beyond our atmosphere, with a full field of instructional and physical training by SpaceX. The crew of four will be joined by a former NASA astronaut, with Isaacman as the commander. As always, space travel doesn't come without risk, but the Dragon/Falcon9 missions are almost fully automated, and the experienced astronaut will be there to override in case of emergency.

Jared Isaacman is a billionaire with a love of space and he has big hopes for the future of space travel, "I truly want us to live in a world 50 or 100 years from now where people are jumping in their rockets like the Jetsons and there are families bouncing around on the moon with their kid in a spacesuit."

Remember, there is one spot open for those who make a donation to St. Jude Research Hospital. Good luck!

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