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

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

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

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 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 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 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 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

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

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

Jared Isaacman emerges from the capsule after it was recovered following its splashdown. AP

Chris Sembroski celebrates their return to Earth. AP

Sian Proctor sets foot on Earth for the first time after completing the mission. AP

Next amateur astronaut out is Hayley Arceneaux. AP

The crew was the first to circle the Earth without a professional astronaut. AP

More from The National:

Watch: SpaceX Crew Dragon blasts into orbit

Who are the Inspiration4 crew and what is Jared Isaacman's net worth?

SpaceX blasts ants, avocados and an arm to space station