• Jared "Rook" Isaacman, Polaris Dawn Mission Commander. Photo: Polaris Program / John Kraus
    Jared "Rook" Isaacman, Polaris Dawn Mission Commander. Photo: Polaris Program / John Kraus
  • The all-amateur crew of SpaceX Inspiration4 embark on an historic mission. Reuters
    The all-amateur crew of SpaceX Inspiration4 embark on an historic mission. Reuters
  • They have lift off in Cape Canaveral, Florida. AP Photo
    They have lift off in Cape Canaveral, Florida. AP Photo
  • Inspiration4 crew members Chris Sembroski, Sian Proctor, Jared Isaacman and Hayley Arceneaux are all smiles before the flight. Reuters
    Inspiration4 crew members Chris Sembroski, Sian Proctor, Jared Isaacman and Hayley Arceneaux are all smiles before the flight. Reuters
  • The moment the rocket blasts off from Kennedy Space Centre's Launch Pad 39-A in Cape Canaveral. AP Photo
    The moment the rocket blasts off from Kennedy Space Centre's Launch Pad 39-A in Cape Canaveral. AP Photo
  • The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket prepares to launch from Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre, Florida. AFP
    The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket prepares to launch from Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre, Florida. AFP
  • The Inspiration4 mission, the first to send an all-civilian crew to orbit, will venture deeper into space than the International Space Station. AFP
    The Inspiration4 mission, the first to send an all-civilian crew to orbit, will venture deeper into space than the International Space Station. AFP
  • The SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off with four private citizens onboard. AP Photo
    The SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off with four private citizens onboard. AP Photo
  • The crew will spend three days orbiting the Earth before splashing back down off the coast of Florida. Reuters
    The crew will spend three days orbiting the Earth before splashing back down off the coast of Florida. Reuters
  • 'The Inspiration4 launch reminds us of what can be accomplished when we partner with private industry,' tweeted Nasa administrator Bill Nelson before the launch. Reuters
    'The Inspiration4 launch reminds us of what can be accomplished when we partner with private industry,' tweeted Nasa administrator Bill Nelson before the launch. Reuters
  • The Inspiration4 mission is being financed and led by Jared Isaacman, 38, the founder of Shift4 Payments. AFP
    The Inspiration4 mission is being financed and led by Jared Isaacman, 38, the founder of Shift4 Payments. AFP
  • Mr Isaacman is the latest billionaire entrepreneur to set his sights on the stars, after Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos both blasted into space this summer. AFP
    Mr Isaacman is the latest billionaire entrepreneur to set his sights on the stars, after Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos both blasted into space this summer. AFP
  • Mr Isaacman hopes to outdo other space tourism pioneers with an even more ambitious mission. AFP
    Mr Isaacman hopes to outdo other space tourism pioneers with an even more ambitious mission. AFP
  • The SpaceX webcast livestreamed what pilot Sian Proctor could see as the rocket headed for the stars. AFP
    The SpaceX webcast livestreamed what pilot Sian Proctor could see as the rocket headed for the stars. AFP
  • Inspiration4 crew on their first day in space. Reuters
    Inspiration4 crew on their first day in space. Reuters
  • First day at the office. Inspiration4 crew Jared Isaacman, Sian Proctor, Hayley Arceneaux, and Chris Sembroski in zero gravity. Reuters
    First day at the office. Inspiration4 crew Jared Isaacman, Sian Proctor, Hayley Arceneaux, and Chris Sembroski in zero gravity. Reuters
  • The citizen astronauts splash down safely in SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule off Florida. Reuters
    The citizen astronauts splash down safely in SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule off Florida. Reuters
  • A SpaceX capsule carrying four people is lifted from the Atlantic Ocean on to a recovery vessel. AP
    A SpaceX capsule carrying four people is lifted from the Atlantic Ocean on to a recovery vessel. AP
  • Jared Isaacman emerges from the capsule after it was recovered following its splashdown. AP
    Jared Isaacman emerges from the capsule after it was recovered following its splashdown. AP
  • Chris Sembroski celebrates their return to Earth. AP
    Chris Sembroski celebrates their return to Earth. AP
  • Sian Proctor sets foot on Earth for the first time after completing the mission. AP
    Sian Proctor sets foot on Earth for the first time after completing the mission. AP
  • Next amateur astronaut out is Hayley Arceneaux. AP
    Next amateur astronaut out is Hayley Arceneaux. AP
  • The crew was the first to circle the Earth without a professional astronaut. AP
    The crew was the first to circle the Earth without a professional astronaut. AP

World

The Americas

SpaceX Inspiration4: Four civilians become astronauts - in pictures

The mission is the first space flight with an all-civilian crew, who will spend three days orbiting the Earth

The National

September 16, 2021

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Updated: September 16, 2021, 6:17 AM