The four private space travelers who soared into orbit on SpaceX's historic Inspiration4 mission last month officially have their astronaut wings.
The civilian crew, which rode a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft into orbit on Sept. 15 and returned to Earth three days later, received their astronaut wings from the company on Friday (Oct. 1) in a presentation at SpaceX's headquarters in Hawthorne, California.
"Yesterday we were presented with our SpaceX astronaut wings," Inspiration4 astronaut Hayley Arceneaux, the mission's medical officer, wrote in a Twitter post Saturday. "This beautiful symbol of our journey means everything to me! Also if it looks like I'm crying, mind your business."
Photos: SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission in pictures
I cried when I got my wings!"
Arceneaux wasn't alone in her jubilation.
"I cried when I got my wings!" Sian Proctor, a geoscientist and space communicator who served as the Inspiration4 crew's pilot on the mission, wrote on Twitter.
SpaceX's astronaut wings pin has a Crew Dragon capsule at its center from which emerge a dragon's head and wings. The back is inscribed with each crewmember's name, call sign and mission role.The wings are provided by the company itself and are different from the commercial astronaut wings provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. The private suborbital spaceflight companies Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic also have their own astronaut wings that also differ from the FAA's pins.
In July, the FAA changed its qualifications for commercial astronaut wings to require crewmembers to demonstrate "activities during flight that were essential to public safety, or contributed to human space flight safety" in addition to their flight training and flight above 50 miles (80 kilometers). FAA officials have said that the agency does reserve the right to issue honorary commercial astronaut wings "to individuals who demonstrated extraordinary contribution or beneficial service to the commercial human spaceflight industry."
Inspiration4 was a three-day commercial space mission financed by American entrepreneur and billionaire Jared Isaacman, who bought four seats to orbit on a SpaceX Dragon and Falcon 9 rocket. Isaacman donated three of the seats to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer research by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Arceneaux, a St. Jude physician assistant and childhood bone cancer survivor, represented the hospital on the flight. Proctor and another civilian, aerospace data engineer Chris Sembroski, won their seats as part of public contests.They were the first all-civilian crew to fly in space without a professional astronaut, and Proctor became the first Black female spaceship pilot in history on the flight.
During their flight, the Inspiration4 astronauts spent three days circling the Earth, performing science experiments and gazing out the largest single window ever built for space, a dome-shaped cupola that SpaceX attached to the nose of the Dragon capsule for the mission. Their mission is the subject of a Netflix documentary series and raised over $200 million for St. Jude.
"Until we meet again, thank you to all the amazing people at @SpaceX who have done so much for me and @inspiration4x," Sembroski, Inspiration4's mission specialist, wrote on Twitter. "And most of all, thanks to my beautiful wife Erin who gave so much to support this dream on a most incredible journey."
According to SpaceX and the Inspiration4 teams, the private astronauts were invited to the company's headquarters Friday to share the experiences from their spaceflight. The astronaut wings presentation was apparently a surprise.
"Our Inspiration4 crew visited SpaceX's headquarters in Hawthorne, California yesterday, and was surprised with SpaceX Dragon wings," Inspiration4's outreach team wrote on Twitter.
Isaacman, who has not disclosed how much be paid for the Inspiration4 flight, thanked SpaceX on Saturday for the flight.
"It was great to see all our SpaceX friends and thank them for making this mission a success," Isaacman added on Twitter. "Incredible memories.
Editor's note: This story, originally posted on Oct. 3, was updated Oct. 4 to include details about the astronaut wings presented by Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.
Email Tariq Malik attmalik@space.comor follow him@tariqjmalik. Follow us@Spacedotcom,FacebookandInstagram.
Read the original post:
SpaceX's private Inspiration4 crew gets their astronaut wings - Space.com
- SpaceXs Starship destroyed on return to Earth at end of third test flight - The Guardian - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- How to watch SpaceX's 3rd Starship launch test live online today - Space.com - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX achieves historic milestone in launch of world's largest rocket into space but Starship lost on reentry - Fox Weather - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- What time is SpaceX's 3rd Starship launch test on today? - Space.com - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX launch: Starship reaches new heights in test for NASA missions - USA TODAY - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX's incredibly powerful Starship lost in the Indian Ocean after reaching orbit for 1st time - Livescience.com - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX Starship Rocket Lost On Re-EntryHeres What To Know - Forbes - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- Jeff Bezoss Blue Origin Could Race SpaceX to the Moon - The New York Times - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceXs Starship gets FAA approval for third test flight - The Washington Post - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX launches Starship on the third flight test of the program Spaceflight Now - Spaceflight Now - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX's 3rd Starship launch makes it to space without exploding, but is lost on reentry - Phys.org - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX cleared to attempt third Starship launch Thursday after getting FAA license - CNBC - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX stacks Starship ahead of 3rd test flight (photos) - Space.com - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX rocket launch captured on SNYs broadcast of Mets-Nationals Spring Training game - Awful Announcing - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- Louisiana man captures video of SpaceX crew returning to earth - WDSU New Orleans - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX Starship successfully blasts off on third test flight - Los Angeles Times - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- Spacex confirms loss of starship at end of third test flight - Reuters - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX launching third Starship test flight in Texas: What to know - Austin American-Statesman - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX Starship achieves new milestones its third test flight, ITF-3 - Florida Today - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX gets E-band radio waves to boost Starlink broadband - SpaceNews - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX's Crew-7 capsule returns 4 astronauts to Earth with predawn splashdown (video) - Space.com - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- 'Wildly Successful Test': SpaceX's Starship reaches orbit, biggest rocket ever made - Fox Business - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX Dragon splashes down during reentry, Crew-7 returns to Earth - USA TODAY - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX Starship launch 3: Time, how to watch live, what to expect - Business Insider - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX's Starship makes it into space but is lost during reentry - The Washington Post - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- Starship launch: Third flight reaches space but is lost on re-entry - New Scientist - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX reveals new details on Starships third test flight - TESLARATI - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- Starship lifts off on third test flight - SpaceNews - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX successfully launches Starship but loses spacecraft while in orbit - News 13 Orlando - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX Starship launch livestream: Watch the third launch live - Mashable - March 16th, 2024 [March 16th, 2024]
- UPDATE 3: SpaceX launches NASA's PACE satellite with new capabilities to study climate, ocean and atmosphere ... - SatNews - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- DID YOU HEAR IT? Sonic booms reported in Central Florida during return of Ax-3 crew - WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Ax-3 Astronauts Undock in Dragon from Station for Earth Return - NASA Blogs - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- SpaceX targeting Feb. 14 for launch of Intuitive Machines IM-1 private moon mission - Space.com - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Mongolia discusses first national satellite with SpaceX - Developing Telecoms - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- NASA, SpaceX, PACE in Florida: Where to watch Earth-science launch - Florida Today - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- SpaceX rolls out Falcon 9 rocket to launch NASA's ocean-studying PACE satellite on Feb. 8 (photos) - Space.com - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Musk at center of sexual harassment fight with ex-SpaceX employees - The Seattle Times - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- SpaceX to launch NASA's PACE ocean-monitoring satellite this week - Space.com - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying NASA's new PACE mission: The best pictures from the launch - Wonderwall - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Ax-3 astronauts leave International Space Station in SpaceX Dragon, eye Friday splashdown - Florida Today - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- SpaceX Dragon carrying Axiom-3 astronauts returns to Earth with splashdown near Daytona Beach| Watch - Hindustan Times - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Weather Delays Launch of NASAs PACE Mission PACE Mission - NASA Blogs - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Sonic boom could hit Florida with SpaceX launch of NASA Earth science probe - Tampa Bay Times - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- SpaceX Launches Ambitious PACE Mission to Monitor Global Ocean, Atmospheric Health - AmericaSpace - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- UPDATE 3: Another bump in time as SpaceX delays launch of 22 Starlink smallsats SatNews - SatNews - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- SpaceX applies for sea-based satellite earth stations - DatacenterDynamics - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Launch Roundup: SpaceX to launch lunar lander on Falcon 9's 300th mission; JAXA looks to reach orbit with H3 rocket ... - NASASpaceflight.com - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- UPDATE 2: PACE launch delay again as weather creates stand down SatNews - SatNews - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Weather 40% Favorable for Tuesday PACE Mission Launch PACE Mission - NASA Blogs - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- NASA's PACE mission underway with overnight launch of SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket - WFTV Orlando - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- SpaceX launches NASA's PACE satellite to study Earth's oceans, air and climate - Yahoo News UK - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- SpaceX shows of 4 giant Starship Super Heavy boosters (photos) - Space.com - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Weather Clears for PACE Launch PACE Mission - NASA Blogs - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- SpaceX to launch Falcon 9 rocket Thursday night from Vandenberg SFB - Yahoo News - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- WATCH AGAIN: NASA'S PACE spacecraft launches on Falcon 9 rocket from the Cape - WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Starlink Group 7-13 | Falcon 9 Block 5 - Everyday Astronaut - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Watch private Ax-3 astronauts return to Earth in SpaceX capsule on Feb. 9 (video) - Yahoo! Voices - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- NASA's PACE mission underway with overnight launch of SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket - Yahoo News - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- Ax-3 Astronauts Undock From Space Station in SpaceX Dragon for Earth Return - SciTechDaily - February 9th, 2024 [February 9th, 2024]
- SpaceX, NASA targeting Feb. 22 for launch of Crew-8 astronaut mission - Space.com - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- SpaceX gearing up to launch Intuitive Machines private moon lander in February - Space.com - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- NASA names astronauts for SpaceX's Crew-9 mission to the ISS - Space.com - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Starlab commercial space station to launch on Starship - SpaceNews - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- SpaceX launches private Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the ISS (video) - Space.com - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- NASA and Partners Now Target Tuesday for Ax-3 Mission Departure - NASA Blogs - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Cygnus Cargo Ship Launching on SpaceX Rocket Live on NASA TV - NASA Blogs - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- SpaceX: DOD Has Requested Taking Over Starship For Individual Missions - Aviation Week - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Musk took drugs with Tesla and SpaceX execs WSJ - Global Village space - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Watch SpaceX launch of NASA International Space Station cargo mission live on Tuesday - USA TODAY - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- SpaceX wants to give some land to Texas Parks and Wildlife but ownership is unclear - Texas Public Radio - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- SpaceXs Starship Rocket to Launch the Starlab Commercial Space Station - Via Satellite - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Cygnus Lifts Off Atop SpaceX Rocket to Deliver Station Cargo - NASA Blogs - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Space Force Guardian to reach orbit for 1st time on SpaceX's Crew-9 astronaut launch - Space.com - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Coverage of the Hatch Closing for the SpaceX/Axiom-3 Crew - NASA (.gov) - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- US military eyes SpaceX Starship for 'sensitive and potentially dangerous missions': report - Space.com - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- SpaceX, NASA ready for splashdown of Ax-3 crew - WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Starlabwith half the volume of the ISSwill fit inside Starship's payload bay - Ars Technica - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- NASA, SpaceX To Launch PACE Earth Science Satellite Early Tuesday - Talk of Titusville - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Teams Hold Flight Readiness Review for NASA's PACE Mission PACE Mission - NASA Blogs - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]