Half Of The Crew For Inspiration4 Mission Is ERAU Alumni

Two Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University graduates prepared for takeoff aboard SpaceX’s Inspiration 4, as ERAU President P. Barry Butler sent his best wishes to the alumni – Jared Isaacman and Chris Sembrowski.

“Everyone at Embry-Riddle is excited about the mission and proud of our Eagles, Jared and Chris,” Butler said. “Through their participation in this mission, they are also raising funds for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. In doing so, they are exemplifying Eagle values, which call on us to be of service to each other. We wish the whole Inspiration4 crew a very safe and successful mission. We thank them for being a source of inspiration to students who may wish to follow in their footsteps.”

Isaacman graduated from Embry-Riddle’s Worldwide Campus in 2011, and sponsored the Inspiration4 mission. He is the founder of Shift4, a company that provides payment processes services. Sembrowski is a 2007 Embry-Riddle graduate who works for Lockheed Martin.

He and Isaacman were joined by scientist/educator Dr. Sian Proctor, who was selected after winning an entrepreneurship competition and represents prosperity. She will be the pilot on the mission. Representing hope is Hayley Arceneaux, a physician assistant at St. Jude, as well as a former patient there. As a child she was treated for bone cancer at the hospital and now she will become the youngest American ever in space at 29 years old.

The launch went off quite well -- and on schedule, while Inspiration4 reached orbit minutes after liftoff. 

FMI: https://inspiration4.com