Jared Isaacman, Leader of First All-Civilian Astronaut Crew, to Receive Space Cowboy Award

Isaacman joins Star Trek’s Rod Roddenberry and other honorees at the Space Cowboy Ball in Austin

AUSTIN, Tx., Nov. 2, 2023 – Today, the EarthLight Foundation (ELF) announced the recipient of its highest award is philanthropist, founder of Draken International, and CEO of Shift4, Jared Isaacman. Isaacman will be honored at the prestigious Space Cowboy Ball to be held at the Bullock Museum of Texas History on November 18. The award is given annually to someone “who has ridden ahead of the pack, opening the High Frontier and ensuring a better future in space.” Previous winners include Jeff Bezos for founding Blue Origin and enabling citizens to access the Frontier, and Gwynne Shotwell, COO of SpaceX, who took home the award in 2022.

“Jared is the perfect Space Cowboy Award recipient because of his work expanding access to space for everyone,” said Rick Tumlinson, Founder of the EarthLight Foundation. “Having the funds and ability to fly himself into space, Jared instead created the Inspiration4 Mission, the world’s first all civilian flight to orbit, giving seats to three people who might not have had the chance to go otherwise. And, in so doing, he raised $260 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”

Isaacman was Inspiration4’s Mission Commander and now he is preparing for Polaris Dawn, the first of three space missions under the Polaris Program. Polaris Dawn is scheduled to launch no earlier than the first quarter of 2024. “I accept on behalf of the thousands of pioneers, innovators and engineers that work tirelessly to open up this last frontier for all. Being a part of the EarthLight community focused on fulfilling a higher calling, and supporting new generations to think big and acknowledge the human trajectory is up, only confirms there are no limits to what we can do when we work together.”

The Space Cowboy Award is the pinnacle presentation at the Space Cowboy Ball, which features additional awards for leaders in space. The Odyssey Award has two recipients, the first is Rod Roddenberry, for his family’s Star Trek legacy, and the second is Frank White, author of the best-selling book, “The OverView Effect.” The Permission to Dream Award for education is given to Dr. Mark Wagner, author of “Space Education.” Last, the introduction of the EarthLight Award for Humanity is awarded to the Peter Mayhew Foundation, founded and named for the actor who played Chewbacca in the original Star Wars movies, for its philanthropic work.

The Space Cowboy Ball is a charity fundraiser for the EarthLight Foundation’s “DreamScopes” project to place telescopes in every middle school. The place for supporters of STEAM education, this eccentric affair boasts a reputation for where the best names in space come together to close out the New Worlds space conference, honor leaders in the High Frontier, and dance at a party fit for Mars in 100 years. (Note – basic formal wear is acceptable at the Ball – as it would be considered “retro” in 2123!)

“There is a lot of darkness in the world right now,” says Tumlinson. “We believe the future can be bright, inspiring, and a place where the children of today can create something amazing. Our attitude at EarthLight is that we are here for a purpose, and part of that purpose is to open the Frontier of space. Meanwhile, it doesn’t hurt to smile and dance a bit along the way!

For more information on the Space Cowboy Ball and award recipients, please visit https://www.newworlds.space/#Space-Cowboy-Ball.

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EarthLight Foundation is a 501C3 charitable education organization dedicated to assuring the urgent breakout of life and humanity into the Universe, while fostering a philosophy based on freedom, inclusion, and reverence for the MotherWorld among those leading the way. We believe the human Purpose is to Protect and Expand the Domain of Life, Honor and Evolve humanity, and Explore and Experience the Universe. Learn more at https://earthlightfoundation.org/.

About the Space Cowboy Award

Happy child smiling in a spacesuit looking out to the universe.

“The Space Cowboy Award is presented to that person who has ridden out ahead of their field or community and made significant contributions to the opening of the Frontier and helped guide humanity towards a better future in space. Their work, spirit, and legacy have helped blaze the trail of technologies, broken down the risks, or driven forward the culture or community in the name of human settlement beyond the borders of Earth. They are an individual or team, always leaders, always ranging far ahead of their peers, calling out challenges and drawing on their imaginations, talent, and grit to blaze a trail into the future for all humankind.“

2022 – “CowGirl” Award – Gwynne Shotwell & SpaceX – For her leadership of SpaceX, her example as a female senior executive, and the work of the SpaceX team to open space to humanity.

2019 – Buzz Aldrin – Apollo 11 Astronaut and space settlement advocate – who, rather than resting on his astronaut laurels, never stopped pushing for humanity to continue forward and get our “ass to Mars!”

2018 – Jeff Bezos – Founder, Blue Origin Space Systems – for his vision establishing a company to enable “some kids in a dorm room” to someday start space companies and projects, and allowing others to see the Earth from space along the way.

2017 – Etienne Schneider – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy of the Royal Duchy of Luxembourg – for he and his nation’s work supporting the development of space resources and policies.

2016 – Dr. Pete Worden – Director, the Breakthrough Prize, former Center Director – NASA Ames Research Center, Former Brigadier General USAF, Mission Director Clementine Moon Mission (confirmed ice on the Moon) – for his decades of service and often behind the scenes leadership of the Space Revolution.

At the Space Cowboy Ball, you are giving a new generation Permission to Dream, as all proceeds go to placing “DreamScope” telescopes in middle schools around the world!

Project: DreamScopes

Get kids hooked on Hope!

You have the chance to help us get kids hooked on Dreams of a better future, addicted to science, learning, and building their own futures.

Our Dream Dealers program allows you, your group, or your company to acquire or place DreamScopes anywhere you want.

Be it one at your old middle school, or a hundred in the city where you live or grew up, even the country you call home, EarthLight will work with you to “make it so!” Better yet, we can work with you for you to be there, and have your name on every scope you help us place!

A Choice of Tomorrows

The EarthLight Foundation believes we all have the “Right Stuff,” and that given the Right Dream any kid anywhere can begin their own journey to a great tomorrow of their own creation. They may not all end up as astronauts, or building human communities in space, but some small fraction of them just might.

Meanwhile, by giving them a chance to fly beyond the borders of their lives and see what is out there in the Universe around them at a critical age, we believe many more will choose to study, learn, and engage in acquiring STEAM skills – helpful no matter what dream they decide to pursue.