SpaceX successfully launches Inspiration4 with all-civilian crew

By Arya M Nair, Official Reporter
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SpaceX Mission image
Representational image

SpaceX, an American Aerospace company founded by Mr. Elon Musk, has successfully launched its Inspiration4 mission from NASA’s facility in Florida, bringing its all-civilian crew into orbit.

The mission is the first private crew launched into orbit by Mr. Musk’s company and the first time a crew was made up entirely of non-professional astronauts. The passengers will float around the capsule for the next three days as it circles the earth once every 90 minutes at a speed of around 17,500 miles per hour.

Leading the crew is, Mr. Jared Isaacman, an American billionaire who paid for the multi-day space trip with the prime goal of raising $200 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Joining Mr. Isaacman on the trip is Ms. Hayley Arceneaux, 29, a childhood cancer survivor who works as a physician assistant, Mr. Chris Sembroski, 42, a data engineer and Mr. Sian Proctor, 51, a community college educator.

Gwynne Shotwell
Gwynne Shotwell
President- SpaceX

“The mission has paved the way for a future where space is more accessible to all who wish to go. We are so proud that they entrusted us to fly them. On behalf of all SpaceX employees, I want to thank the crew and their families for allowing us to be a part of their historic mission.”

The four Dragon riders spent six months training for the flight to cope with any emergency. The training included centrifuge and fighter jet flights, launch and re-entry practice in SpaceX’s capsule simulator.

Mr. Jeff Bezos took his spacecraft, Blue Origin, above Earth’s atmosphere in July with three others. Following Mr. Elon Musk’s latest mission to the International Space Station (ISS), there will be two privateer visits, one in October with a Russian movie director and an actress, and the other in early 2022.

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