Inspiration 4

     On Wednesday, September 15, 2021, four civilians launched into orbit where they will stay for three days before returning to earth. Launching off from launch complex 39a aboard their Falcon 9 rocket, they flew into a higher orbit than the International Space Station where, from 367 miles in altitude, they can get amazing views of Earth and the vast expanse of space. The crew dragon capsule that they rode in was modified slightly from its previous flights to the ISS. Their capsule does not need to be able to dock with the space station so the docking adapter was replaced with a plexiglass dome, allowing them to get even more amazing 360° views.

               The four crew members are Jared Isaacman, the billionaire paying for the flight, Hayley Arceneaux, Dr. Sian Proctor, and Chris Sembroski. Commander Jared and Piolet Sian needed extra training, but all four members trained for months in preparation for this flight. Another interesting fact about one of the crew is that Hayley Arceneaux, a cancer survivor and physician for St. Jude, will be able to claim to be the youngest American ever in space at 29 years old as well as the first with a prosthetic.

               While the primary purpose of the flight is for tourism and curiosity, they will be doing some experiments while in space. Part of this is that all four of them are simply normal people and not held to the physical requirements that NASA astronauts are held to. It will be interesting to see how space affects them over their short stay in orbit. They will also be doing tests involving ultrasonic imaging as well and blood and brain activity while in orbit.

               Splashdown is planned for Saturday, September 17, 2021. With their arrival back on earth, a new age of space travel will be born. One in which normal people have the opportunity to go to space.