Why SpaceX’s Inspiration 4 Mission Is So Important
The Inspiration 4 mission marks another first in the Space industry. For the first time in the history of space flight, 4 civilians will be launched into space and orbit the Earth. Not only that but the mission is also responsible for a massive fundraiser for St. Jude with the goal of raising over $200 million. This mission is the start of something special and another moment that humans will look back on.
What Is The Inspiration 4 Mission?
The Inspiration 4 is a SpaceX mission that will send 4 civilians into orbit. Once in orbit, the capsule will travel around the Earth for three full days. Unlike Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin’s recent launches, this SpaceX launch will send the crew of civilians higher than the International Space Station. To be specific they will be 357 miles away from Earth. Onboard the rocket there will also not be any professional astronaut. It will be just the crew and the capsule. Below is a chart comparing Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, and SpaceX’s recent civilian launch height.
| Company | Flight Altitude (Miles) |
|---|---|
| SpaceX | 357 Miles |
| Virgin Galactic | 54 Miles |
| Blue Origin | 65 Miles |
The Rocket Taking Them Into Space
The rocket responsible for taking them into orbit is the Falcon 9. To be more specific the rocket is a Falcon 9 with a Dragon Crew capsule on the top. The Falcon 9 is SpaceX’s partially reusable rocket that is responsible for many missions. After launch, the booster and its 9 Merlin engines send the rocket high up into the atmosphere. Once high enough the booster disconnects and heads back towards Earth. Using its multiple grid fins it orients itself towards a drone ship out in the ocean. The booster then completes multiple landing burns to slow itself down and safely touch down on the landing pad.
So far the Falcon 9 has launched 128 times. This includes multiple crewed launches responsible for taking humans to the International Space Station and back. SpaceX recently made history when they became the first private company to send NASA astronauts to the ISS. They now are NASA’s main way of putting their astronauts on and off the ISS.
Normally the Falcon 9 has a large pair of fairings on the top to bring cargo such as satellites into orbit but not for crewed missions. For crewed missions, a capsule built for human transportation is instead on the top. SpaceX has multiple different models of this capsule. For their past missions, the top had a hatch meant to dock with the ISS. For this civilian mission, it has been replaced with a large glass window. This will provide the crew with incredible views throughout their 3 day trip around the planet.
Purpose Of The Mission
The Inspiration 4 mission has a lot of different purposes, each equally important. One being completing a task never done before. This will encourage more development and innovation in the space industry as companies and agencies see what is possible. The other is the public view. With a fully civilian mission, millions of people around the world will be watching. This attention will help inspire many around the world and get more people interesting in the ever-changing space industry.
Another big purpose is charity. This mission is partnered with St. Jude with the goal of raising over $200 million dollars for children suffering from cancer. This money will help save kids around the country who are battling cancer. One final purpose is to promote the values of leadership, hope, generosity, and prosperity. These four values were specifically chosen to represent the mission and what exactly it’s about. Each crew member has a value that represents them and what the mission means to them.
Worlds First
One of the most significant parts about this mission and part of the reason it’s so important is that it’s a world first. This mission marks the first time a crew of entire civilians will go into space and orbit the planet. Just like anything else in the world before everyone has access to something there needs to be a first. This mission will be a massive contribution to future human spaceflight and travel. When civilians going out into space is completely normal they will look back at this mission as the very start.
Who Exactly Is The Crew?
Jared Isaacman – Jared Isaacman is the founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments, the leader in integrated payment processing solutions. He is also an accomplished pilot. Isaacman is rated to fly commercial and military aircraft and holds multiple world records including two Speed-Around-The-World flights in 2008 and 2009 that raised money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. He also has flown in over 100 airshows as part of the Black Diamond Jet Team, dedicating every performance to charitable causes. These reasons are exactly why Jared was chosen to command the mission. His prior experiences will help him a massive amount and allow him to confidently and competently command the Inspiration 4 Mission.
Hayley Arceneaux – When Hayley was 10 years old, one of her knees began to ache. Her doctor thought it was just a sprain, but a few months later, tests revealed Hayley suffered from osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. Her family turned to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for her treatment and care, which included chemotherapy and a limb-saving surgery. She is now finished with treatment and thriving. She obtained an undergraduate degree in Spanish in 2014 and obtained her Physician Assistant (PA) degree in 2016. Now she works at St. Jude as a PA with leukemia and lymphoma patients. Hayley is a perfect example of overcoming insurmountable odds and doing what many thought was impossible. These impossible odds will help inspire countless kids who are in a similar situation as Hayley was.
Chris Sembroski – Chris Sembroski grew up with a natural curiosity about outer space. Late at night, he would stargaze on the roof of his high school and launch high-powered model rockets throughout college which both cemented his passion. As a U.S. Space Camp counselor, he conducted simulated space shuttle missions and supported STEM-based education designed to inspire young minds to explore these areas and find their passions. In college Sembroski volunteered with ProSpace, a grassroots lobbying effort that promoted legislation in Washington, D.C., to help open space travel and allow companies like SpaceX to exist. He then served in the U.S. Air Force, maintaining a fleet of Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles and deploying for service in Iraq before leaving active duty in 2007. Following his education from the Air Force, Sembroski earned a B.S. in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Dr. Sian Proctor – Dr. Sian Proctor is a geoscientist, explorer, and science communication specialist with a lifelong passion for space exploration. She was born in Guam while her father was working at the NASA tracking station during the Apollo missions and has carried on his dedication and interest in space. She’s an analog astronaut and has completed four analog missions, including the all-female Sensoria Mars 2020 mission at the Hawai’i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) Habitat as well as the NASA-funded four-month Mars mission at HI-SEAS to investigate food strategies for long-duration spaceflights. Her motto is “Space2inspire,” and she encourages people to use their unique one-of-a-kind strengths and passion to inspire others.
Conclusion
The Inspiration 4 Mission is another step in the right direction. Not only will it provide for charity, become a world first, and help improve the space industry, but it will inspire. People around the world will watch this mission and become a bit more interested in what’s going on in the space industry. Kids will see what’s possible and what the future holds. The combination of SpaceX, the incredible Crew, their values, and more, is the reason the Inspiration 4 Mission is so important.