SpaceX's Inspiration4 all-civilian spaceflight is ending, and SpaceX wants you to see the last moments. Livestreaming of the Crew Dragon capsule's return from Earth will begin at 6PM Eastern. The crew is expected to splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean close to Florida at 7:06PM. The stream can be viewed below.
Jared Isaacman, Shift4 chief and three other civilian crew members (Hayley Arkeneaux, SianProctor and Chris Sembroski), conducted scientific research on the effects of spaceflight upon the human body. The mission also served as a fundraising effort for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. This hospital relies on donations to help advance cancer-fighting medicine.
This Crew Dragon flight is the shortest to be occupied. Crew-1, Crew-2 and Demo-2 were all designed to dock with the International Space Station. The Crew-2 mission was scheduled to last from nine weeks to six month Inspiration4. This flight took three days. SpaceX is not complaining. This proves that it is possible to send civilian-only crews into space. It could also be used as a selling tool for clients who may only need a short time in orbit.
