Inspiration4/John Kraus
SPACEX’s Inspiration4 mission was due to launch at 8pm local time on 15 September from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida as New Scientist went to press. It marks the first ever launch without any professional astronauts, as all four of the crew, pictured, are private individuals, not government-trained space explorers.
Many people who aren’t professional astronauts have been to orbit aboard various spacecraft, but until now they have always been accompanied by trained professionals. While the passengers on the Inspiration4 mission have undergone some training to make sure they are able to fly safely, they haven’t been through the intensive, years-long process normally required to…
