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SpaceX’s all-civilian crew sends views from space after successful Inspiration4 launch

The crew aboard SpaceX's flight is composed of all civilians. (SpaceX)
Elon Musk is holding true to his promise to make space tourism accessible. The world's first all-civilian space mission made history yesterday evening when SpaceX launched the Inspiration4 crew into orbit at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island, Florida.
In a spacecraft fashioned from a used Crew Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 rocket, the Inspiration4 crew will remain in space for three days, where they will perform medical experiments, before touching back down to the Atlantic Ocean on Sept. 18.
The spacecraft lifted off around 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Liftoff of @Inspiration4X! Go Falcon 9! Go Dragon! pic.twitter.com/NhRXkD4IWg
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 16, 2021
The team was quick to share the wonder with a video of the blue planet from the ship's cupola window.
View from Dragon's cupola pic.twitter.com/Z2qwKZR2lK
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 16, 2021
Who's on the crew?
Jared Isaacman
Serving as the mission commander, Isaacman is a tech entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments. The billionaire financed the trip.
Sian Proctor
A geoscientist, science communicator and actress, Proctor is the mission's pilot.
Hayley Arceneaux
Bone cancer survivor, physician assistant for St. Jude's and now the youngest American to make it to space at 29, Arceneaux is the chief medical officer.
Chris Sembroski
The team's mission specialist, Sembroski is a data engineer and an Air Force Veteran.
While drawing from experiences from professional crews prior, the four members of Inspiration4 will be tested for balance and perception both before and after to compare the tests, a common practice for professional astronauts.
Data about the crew's "movement, sleep, heart rate and rhythm, blood oxygen saturation, cabin noise and light intensity" will be monitored while they're in space, according to a release, and will continue to be monitored even after they land. Since fewer than 600 people have been to space before, this data is scare and highly valuable to SpaceX and others who wish to plunge deeper into the vastness of the cosmos.
SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said she is proud to be "paving the way for a future where space is more accessible" in a statement.
"We are so proud that they entrusted us to fly them," Shotwell said. "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."
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Popular
Peyton and Eli Manning's nephew Arch Manning has committed to the University of Texas. (Arch Manning/Twitter)
Arch Manning, the latest prospect in the Manning football family and No. 1 recruit in the class of 2023, has committed to the University of Texas.
Manning is the nephew of Eli and Peyton Manning and the son of Cooper Manning, a former wide receiver for Ole Miss. The Manning football legacy began with Archie Manning, Arch Manning's grandfather and namesake who played for the New Orleans Saints throughout the 1970s.
Committed to the University of Texas. #HookEmpic.twitter.com/jHYbjBaF5K
— Arch Manning (@ArchManning) June 23, 2022
Manning joins head Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian's program after a disappointing 5-7 first season. Manning, who has been the starting quarterback at New Orlean's Newman High School since he was a freshman, was the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class, according to 247sports.
Manning had plenty of SEC suitors, including Georgia, Alabama and LSU, but committed to Texas after a recent visit to Austin.
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(U.S. Marshals Service)
The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force has found the Jeep belonging to Kaitlin Armstrong, the accused murderer of professional cyclist Moriah “Mo” Wilson.
Armstrong is suspected to have killed Wilson—who was visiting Austin for a race in Hico, Texas last month—in a crime of passion after Wilson met up with her short-term ex-boyfriend Colin Strickland.
The Task Force said the black Jeep Cherokee was sold to a South Austin CarMax dealership on May 13, one day after being questioned by the Austin Police Department, for $12,200.
Armstrong was spotted at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport the next day, en route to LaGuardia Airport, but officials said they lost her trail after she was dropped off at Newark Liberty International Airport on May 18.
Investigators were unable to find any flight reservations under the name “Kaitlin Armstrong” and believe she may be using her sister’s name, Christine.
The case has been designated as a U.S. Marshals Service major case, which brings in more resources to the investigation; officials consider Armstrong dangerous. According to an anonymous tipster, Armstrong became “furious,” when she found out about Wilson and Strickland’s meeting and wanted to “kill” her.
Authorities believe the longer Armstrong is evading arrest, the more dangerous she may become, so anyone who sees her is encouraged to call 911 instead of approaching her. A $6,000 reward, along with an additional $15,000 from an anonymous donor, has been issued for information leading to her capture.