Skip to main content
Space Space
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
RSS
  • Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter
    • Space Exploration
    • Astronomy
    • Stargazing
    • Launches & Spacecraft
    • Videos
    • The Moon
    • More
      • Subscribe to Our Newsletters
      • Like 4K Video from Space
      • Artemis
      • James Webb Space Telescope
      • Entertainment
      • Solar System
      • Forums
      • Technology
      • Search for Life
      • Get Space Magazines
      • About Us
      • Web Notifications
    Trending
    • May Full Flower Moon
    • Night sky tonight!
    • Live 4K Sen video from space!
    • Aurora Forecast
    • Next Full Moon
    • Space Calendar
    • Best Binoculars
    • Best Telescopes
    • Lego Star Wars deals
    • Best Drones
    • Solar System Planets
    • Best Star Projectors

    Recommended reading

    The four private Fram2 astronauts inside their SpaceX Dragon capsule in their black and white spacesuits
    Space Exploration SpaceX Fram2 1st polar astronaut mission: Live updates
    An image of SpaceX's Starship rocket taking to the skies over Starbase site in South Texas on Thursday evening (March 6).
    Astrophotography Space pictures! See our space image of the day
    SpaceX's Crew-10 astronaut mission for NASA launches toward the International Space Station from Kennedy Space Center on March 14, 2025.
    International Space Station SpaceX launches relief crew for NASA's beleaguered Starliner astronauts on ISS (video)
    Four humans in white space suits post in front of a white wall with line drawings of a spaceship.
    Missions Private SpaceX Fram2 mission ready for world's 1st crewed flight over Earth's polar regions (photos)
    A white and black SpaecX rocket with NASA and SpaceX logos on the side atop a launch pad
    Space Exploration SpaceX Dragon meets sunrise at launch pad for Crew-10 flight | Space photo of the day March 11, 2025
    the top of a round window caps a white space capsule over the snowy background of Earth below.
    Human Spaceflight Watch chilling 1st views of Earth's poles seen by SpaceX Fram2 astronauts (video)
    Blue Origin's NS-31 crew poses for a photo after their flight. From left: Kerianne Flynn, Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez, Aisha Bowe, Gayle King and Amanda Nguyen.
    Private Spaceflight ‘It is the highest high’: Here's what Katy Perry and the 5 other women of Blue Origin's historic all-female flight felt after liftoff (videos)
    1. Space Exploration
    2. Missions

    Inspiration4: SpaceX's historic private spaceflight in photos

    News
    By Space.com Staff last updated 23 September 2021

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    In September 2021, SpaceX launch its first-ever all-civilian spaceflight with four crewmembers on a mission called Inspiration4. 

    The mission sent the crew on a three-day mission to orbit Earth in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. It lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, Sept. 15, riding to orbit on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The privately funded mission raised $200 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. See photos of the historic mission here by clicking on the right arrows above.

    In this photo, the Inspiration4 crew poses for a photo on SpaceX's access arm at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew includes (pictured from left to right): billionaire Jared Isaacman, contest winner Sian Proctor, childhood cancer survivor Hayley Arceneaux and raffle winner Chris Sembroski.

    Related: Watch SpaceX's Inspiration4 astronauts see Earth through their huge window for the 1st time (video)

    Page 1 of 55
    Page 1 of 55

    The four civilian astronauts of SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission pose for a group portrait during a dress rehearsal of their planned launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A on Sept. 15, 2021.

    Page 2 of 55
    Page 2 of 55

    Chris Sembroski, Hayley Arceneaux, Sian Proctor and Jared Isaacman pose in front of their SpaceX launch pad, Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Monday, March 29, 2021.

    Page 3 of 55
    Page 3 of 55

    The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon that will launch the private orbital spaceflight dubbed Inspiration4, is seen during launch preparations.

    Page 4 of 55
    Page 4 of 55

    SpaceX's Crew Dragon Resilience is seen with the Inspiration4 mission logo inside its hangar ahead of a planned Sept. 15, 2021 launch from Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

    Page 5 of 55
    Page 5 of 55

    The Inspiration4 crew board their Teslas during a launch rehearsal on Sept. 12, 2021.

    Page 6 of 55
    Page 6 of 55

    SpaceX's all-civilian Inspiration4 astronauts are all smiles after splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean on Sept. 18, 2021, to end their historic three-day trip to orbit on the Crew Dragon Resilience.

    Page 7 of 55
    Page 7 of 55

    Inspiration4 lifted off successfully on Sept. 15, 2021.

    Page 8 of 55
    Page 8 of 55

    Inspiration4's Falcon 9 rocket rises off the pad on Sept. 15, 2021.

    Page 9 of 55
    Page 9 of 55

    The plume of fumes generated by the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying four civilian astronauts of the Inspiration4 mission on their historic orbital trip.

    Page 10 of 55
    Page 10 of 55

    "Jude," the Inspiration4 crew's zero-g indicator, floats at the end of a tether after entering Earth orbit on Sept. 15, 2021.

    Page 11 of 55
    Page 11 of 55

    Hayley Arceneaux enjoying views from the tailor-made cupola in the Crew Dragon capsule.

    Page 12 of 55
    Page 12 of 55

    The crew of SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission speak with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital patients from space during their mission.

    Page 13 of 55
    Page 13 of 55

    Inspiration4 commander Jared Isaacman.

    Page 14 of 55
    Page 14 of 55

    The Inspiration4 crew posing inside the Dragon Crew cupola against the backdrop of Earth.

    Page 15 of 55
    Page 15 of 55

    Inspiration4 mission specialist Chris Sembroski watches "Spaceballs" as the crew prepares for landing.

    Page 16 of 55
    Page 16 of 55

    The Crew Dragon Resilience splashes down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida, on Sept. 18, 2021.

    Page 17 of 55
    Page 17 of 55

    The four private astronauts of SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission smile after returning to Earth on Sept. 18, 2021 to end their historic three-day spaceflight on a Dragon spacecraft.

    Page 18 of 55
    Page 18 of 55

    Shift4 Payments founder and CEO Jared Isaacman will command a SpaceX Crew Dragon spaceflight  in late 2021 and is donating three seats to fly with him in support of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

    Page 19 of 55
    Page 19 of 55

    Hayley Arceneaux, a 29-year-old survivor of childhood bone cancer, will join the private Inspiration4 SpaceX mission led by Jared Isaacman.

    Page 20 of 55
    Page 20 of 55

    An "analog astronaut" and daughter of an Apollo tracking engineer, Dr. Sian Proctor will serve as pilot on the Inspiration4 mission, backing up commander Jared Isaacman throughout the three-day spaceflight.

    Page 21 of 55
    Page 21 of 55

    A former Space Camp counselor who now works in the aerospace industry, Chris Sembroski will serve as a mission specialist on the Inspiration4 all-civilian spaceflight, helping to manage science experiments and communications with mission control.

    Page 22 of 55
    Page 22 of 55

    The Inspiration4 crew: Hayley Arcenaux (top left), Chris Sembroski (top right), Sian Proctor (bottom left) and Jared Isaacman (bottom right).

    Page 23 of 55
    Page 23 of 55

    Jared Isaacman trains for the Inspiration4 mission. 

    Page 24 of 55
    Page 24 of 55

    Jared Isaacman (foreground) and Sian Proctor (background) train for Inspiration4 at SpaceX HQ. 

    Page 25 of 55
    Page 25 of 55

    Jared Isaacman trains in the Crew Dragon spacecraft at SpaceX HQ. 

    Page 26 of 55
    Page 26 of 55

    Sian Proctor trains for her role as pilot of a SpaceX Crew Dragon for the upcoming Inspiration4 private space mission. 

    Page 27 of 55
    Page 27 of 55

    The Inspiration4 crew at SpaceX ready to train for their mission. 

    Page 28 of 55
    Page 28 of 55

    Inspiration4 crew experiences weightlessness during zero-g flight.

    Page 29 of 55
    Page 29 of 55

    Sian Proctor hiking Mount Rainier with the rest of the Inspiration4 crew. 

    Page 30 of 55
    Page 30 of 55

    The Inspiration4 private astronauts. 

    Page 31 of 55
    Page 31 of 55

    Inspiration4 mission crew members (from left) Jared Isaacman, Hayley Arceneaux, Sian Proctor and Chris Sembroski pose at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Monday, March 29, 2021.

    Page 32 of 55
    Page 32 of 55

    Chris Sembroski (at left) and Sian Proctor won their seats on board the Inspiration4 mission, joining the first all-civilian crew.

    Page 33 of 55
    Page 33 of 55

    Billionaire Jared Isaacman is announcing contests for two seats on his Inspiration4 private spaceflight on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft during the 2021 Super Bowl on Feb. 7, 2021.

    Page 34 of 55
    Page 34 of 55

    Director Bryce Dallas Howard directed the Inspiration4 Super Bowl ad for billionaire Jared Isaacman's private spaceflight on a SpaceX spacecraft.

    Page 35 of 55
    Page 35 of 55

    Director Bryce Dallas Howard directed the Inspiration4 Super Bowl ad for billionaire Jared Isaacman's private spaceflight on a SpaceX spacecraft.

    Page 36 of 55
    Page 36 of 55

    Director Bryce Dallas Howard directed the Inspiration4 Super Bowl ad for billionaire Jared Isaacman's private spaceflight on a SpaceX spacecraft.

    Page 37 of 55
    Page 37 of 55

    Director Bryce Dallas Howard directed the Inspiration4 Super Bowl ad for billionaire Jared Isaacman's private spaceflight on a SpaceX spacecraft.

    Page 38 of 55
    Page 38 of 55

    In Bozeman, Montana the Inspiration4 crew—Chris Sembroski, Hayley Arceneaux, Sian Proctor and Jared Isaacman—pose with the team preparing for fighter jet training for the upcoming Inspiration4 Mission.

    Page 39 of 55
    Page 39 of 55

    While completing fighter jet training the Inspiration4 crew flies high above Bozeman, Montana.

    Page 40 of 55
    Page 40 of 55

    High above Bozeman, Montana, the Inspiration4 crew participates in fighter jet training.

    Page 41 of 55
    Page 41 of 55

    The Inspiration4 crew—Chris Sembroski, Hayley Arceneaux, Sian Proctor and Jared Isaacman—pose with the Inspiration4 insignia flag.

    Page 42 of 55
    Page 42 of 55

    The Inspiration4 crew—Chris Sembroski, Hayley Arceneaux, Sian Proctor and Jared Isaacman—walk to the fighter jets in Bozeman, Montana.

    Page 43 of 55
    Page 43 of 55

    The Inspiration4 crew—Chris Sembroski, Hayley Arceneaux, Sian Proctor and Jared Isaacman—pose with fighter jets during training in Bozeman, Montana.

    Page 44 of 55
    Page 44 of 55

    Some of the Inspiration4 crew  take a group selfie during fighter jet training in Bozeman, Montana.

    Page 45 of 55
    Page 45 of 55

    During a break from fighter jet training for the upcoming mission, the Inspiration4 crew—Chris Sembroski, Hayley Arceneaux, Sian Proctor and Jared Isaacman— visit the 'A Shortfall of Gravitas' droneship.

    Page 46 of 55
    Page 46 of 55

    The Inspiration4 crew—Chris Sembroski, Hayley Arceneaux, Sian Proctor and Jared Isaacman—pose with their signed Falcon 9 booster.

    Page 47 of 55
    Page 47 of 55

    The Inspiration4 crew—Chris Sembroski, Hayley Arceneaux, Sian Proctor and Jared Isaacman—pose with their signed Falcon 9 booster.

    Page 48 of 55
    Page 48 of 55

    SpaceX's Inspiration4 civilian astronauts Hayley Arceneaux (left) and Jared Isaacman walk out to Tesla vehicles for a trip during a dress rehearsal of their planned launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A on Sept. 15, 2021.

    Page 49 of 55
    Page 49 of 55

    The four civilian astronauts of SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission sit inside their Crew Dragon Resilience spacecraft for a dress rehearsal of their planned launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A on Sept. 15, 2021.

    Page 50 of 55
    Page 50 of 55

    Hayley Arceneaux, a physician assistant, flew to space with Inspiration4.

    Page 51 of 55
    Page 51 of 55

    Hayley Arceneaux, 29, was both the youngest American to fly to space and the first person with a prosthesis to fly to space.

    Page 52 of 55
    Page 52 of 55

    Chris Sembroski, the mission specialist for the Inspiration4 mission, poses in the crew access arm.

    Page 53 of 55
    Page 53 of 55

    SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk with the Inspiration4 crew before their historic liftoff.

    Page 54 of 55
    Page 54 of 55

     The four Inspiration4 crewmembers shortly before boarding their Crew Dragon capsule, a vehicle named Resilience.

    Page 55 of 55
    Page 55 of 55
    Space.com Staff
    Space.com Staff
    Social Links Navigation
    News and editorial team

    Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. Originally founded in 1999, Space.com is, and always has been, the passion of writers and editors who are space fans and also trained journalists. Our current news team consists of Editor-in-Chief Tariq Malik; Editor Hanneke Weitering, Senior Space Writer Mike Wall; Senior Writer Meghan Bartels; Senior Writer Chelsea Gohd, Senior Writer Tereza Pultarova and Staff Writer Alexander Cox, focusing on e-commerce. Senior Producer Steve Spaleta oversees our space videos, with Diana Whitcroft as our Social Media Editor. 

    Read more
    The four private Fram2 astronauts inside their SpaceX Dragon capsule in their black and white spacesuits
    SpaceX Fram2 1st polar astronaut mission: Live updates
    An image of SpaceX's Starship rocket taking to the skies over Starbase site in South Texas on Thursday evening (March 6).
    Space pictures! See our space image of the day
    SpaceX's Crew-10 astronaut mission for NASA launches toward the International Space Station from Kennedy Space Center on March 14, 2025.
    SpaceX launches relief crew for NASA's beleaguered Starliner astronauts on ISS (video)
    Four humans in white space suits post in front of a white wall with line drawings of a spaceship.
    Private SpaceX Fram2 mission ready for world's 1st crewed flight over Earth's polar regions (photos)
    A white and black SpaecX rocket with NASA and SpaceX logos on the side atop a launch pad
    SpaceX Dragon meets sunrise at launch pad for Crew-10 flight | Space photo of the day March 11, 2025
    the top of a round window caps a white space capsule over the snowy background of Earth below.
    Watch chilling 1st views of Earth's poles seen by SpaceX Fram2 astronauts (video)
    Latest in Missions
    A huge metallic structure in a chamber with lots of people in white clean suits.
    NASA continues building next-gen Roman Space Telescope despite budget worries
    a star-like pinpoint of light hangs in the sky above a dimly light red-tinted surface
    Perseverance watches moonrise on Mars | Space photo of the day for May 16, 2025
    An illustration of Voyager 1.
    NASA resurrects Voyager 1 interstellar spacecraft's thrusters after 20 years: 'These thrusters were considered dead'
    fifty-five different flags in front of an image of the moon under the text "Artemis accords"
    Norway becomes 55th nation to sign NASA Artemis Accords for peaceful space exploration
    the tip of a black rocket with a nasa meatball logo rises from the center against a hazy blue hilly horizon and greying sky.
    NASA picks Rocket Lab to launch shoebox-sized Aspera space telescope in 2026
    a golden dollar coin depicts a space shuttle launching, similar to a background photo of an actual lift off
    US Mint begins sales of $1 coin honoring innovative NASA space shuttle
    Latest in News
    This Week in Space 161 — The TWiS Comedy Hour!
    This Week In Space podcast: Episode 161 — The TWiS Comedy Hour!
    Use of the Earth's moon is on the agenda of multiple nations.
    Can we actually build a thriving economy on and around the moon?
    An illustration of an asteroid
    US Representatives worry Trump's NASA budget plan will make it harder to track dangerous asteroids
    An artist's illustration of two black holes spiraling together, creating gravitational waves in the process.
    Black hole dance illuminates hidden math of the universe
    A huge metallic structure in a chamber with lots of people in white clean suits.
    NASA continues building next-gen Roman Space Telescope despite budget worries
    A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carries 26 Starlink satellites to orbit from California on May 16, 2025.
    SpaceX launches 26 Starlink satellites to orbit from California (video)
    MORE FROM SPACE...
    1. A split image showing screenshots from six different "Love, Death + Robots" Volume 4 episodes along with the words "Love, Death + Robots" Vol, 4 episodes, ranked".
      1
      Every episode of Netflix's 'Love, Death + Robots' Volume 4, ranked
    2. 2
      The space doctors are in! Season 2 of Prime Video's 'The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy' gets a wacky new teaser and release date (video)
    3. 3
      Can we actually build a thriving economy on and around the moon?
    4. 4
      This Week In Space podcast: Episode 161 — The TWiS Comedy Hour!
    5. 5
      Watch India launch its 2nd space mission of the year tonight

    Space is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    • About Us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Advertise with us
    • Web notifications
    • Careers

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

    Please login or signup to comment

    Please wait...