Matt Isakowitz
Matthew Scott Isakowitz
“Matthew found inspiration in Carl Sagan’s words, “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” Matthew’s invaluable contributions to the field of commercial spaceflight included working at Astranis, Planetary Resources, the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, Space Adventures, SpaceX, and the XPRIZE Foundation. He was loved by so many and will be greatly missed.”
Keith’s note: I am just startled and shattered by this. Matt was only 29 and yet was everything you wanted in a space explorer and crammed so much into his all too short life. He was smart, bubbling with enthusiasm, and always ready to tackle a new challenge. I first met Matt in May 2002 at the AIA rocket launch competition here in Virginia. I went to hear Sean O’Keefe officiate at the competition – his father Steve worked for O’Keefe at the time. My initial impression of Matt came when I spotted his father with several kids in tow. Due to the recent rain we were all covered in mud to some extent. Matt was still a young boy and I recall that he was clearly excited by all of the rocket launches he was seeing. Matt was also somewhat impatient with his father and clearly wanted him to dispense with saying hello to O’Keefe and I and get back to the rockets. Over the years I’d see Matt regularly and watched him become quite the space professional. Despite his age, he was fun to debate issues with since he actually knew what he was talking about. Matt was one of those people whose accomplishments I had expected to read about in my old age. Ad Astra.
Donation page, Future Space Leaders
“Matthew Isakowitz was an extraordinary young man whose passion for opening the commercial space frontier was only matched by his kindness and generosity to those around him. In his honor and memory, we are participating in an initiative to support the space-related programs that were so dear to him. Your donations will be applied toward a to-be-announced initiative that will further Matthew’s legacy in the field of human space exploration.”
I’m terribly sorry to hear of the loss of your extraordinary young friend. The world needs thousands more like him, and not the baffling growth of Flat Earth and conspiracy hacks that we’re getting…
Some years ago, when Matthew was still at Princeton, I had several chats with him. I was immensely impressed with his intellectual acuity, compassion and overall commitment to a career that would combine his love of technology with making the world a better place. Like Keith, I naturally assumed I’d be watching him continue to be a pathfinder in whatever career path he decided to undertake. As it is, he left an impressive legacy. Speaking as a parent, I can only say that such a loss is beyond words. My prayers and thoughts are with the Isakowitz family. Yitgadal v’yitkadash sh’mei raba.
Thanks for posting this Keith. Matt was great. I only knew him briefly but he was a good guy and someone who made an impression on you immediately. I had hoped I would have the pleasure of working with him again in the future. As a father of 4, one of roughly the same age as Matt, I can’t imagine what his parents are going through. What a terrible loss. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his friends.
I was at the service today. Standing room only. Matt was quite a guy.
I wish there was a way I could’ve made it. It was heartbreaking to hear the news on Sunday. I only knew Matt for a few years, but he was an amazingly talented individual. Words kind of fail me at times like this, but my thoughts and prayers are with his family.
~Jon
Incredibly sad news…my heart breaks for Steve and Monica. I was at his Bar Mitzvah years ago and even then you could see the wonderful and smart young man he was becoming. I have no words…..only prayers for his family and friends for comfort and peace. I wished I could have been at the services today.
I’m really sad to hear this. I met Matt briefly a few years ago; When we first met, he picked me up in his car and drove me to a meeting, and I was really impressed with him, and I was looking forward to working with him in the future. I offer my sincere condolences to his family.