SpaceX’s amateur astronauts safely splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida on Saturday.
A rousing round of applause was heard from the control room as Inspiration4 parachutes were launched to slow down the Dragon capsule at 7:04 p.m., a live feed of the landing showed.
Three minutes later, the ship gently hit the waters near Cape Canaveral at a slowed-down speed of 15 miles per hour, SpaceX commenters said.
Boats rushed to the capsule to inspect the ship and hoist it onto a recovery vessel.
“On behalf of Space X, welcome home to planet Earth,” a dispatcher said to the crew on the live stream.
“Your mission has shown the world that space is for all of us, and that everyday people can make extraordinary impacts on the world around them.”
The historic first-ever all-civilian space orbit spent three days circling the world at an altitude of 335 miles.
A SpaceX capsule carrying the four amateur astronauts splashes down in the Atlantic off the Florida coast. Inspiration4 via AP
Inspiration4 parachutes into the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida coast on Sept. 18, 2021. SpaceX via AP
Hayley Arceneaux was the first passenger out of the capsule after landing. Inspiration4 via AP
Chris Sembroski reacts after exiting Inspiration4. Inspiration4 via AP
Dr. Sian Proctor was one of the four amateurs on the trip. Inspiration4 via AP
Jared Isaacman emerges from the capsule after landing. Inspiration4 via APThe amateur astronauts — Jared Isaacman, Hayley Arceneaux, Chris Sembroski and Dr. Sian Proctor — have been training for months. The flight crew was announced in March.
Isaacman, 38, an accomplished jet pilot, commanded the mission after reportedly paying $200 million for the privilege.
SpaceX’s webcast shows parachutes being deployed as the Inspiration4 prepares to splash down on the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida. SpaceX / YouTube
Footage shows the capsule being lifted up to a recovery vessel. SpaceX / YouTube
Amateur astronauts Jared Isaacman, Hayley Arceneaux, Chris Sembroski and Dr. Sian Proctor during the landing. SpaceX / YouTubeThe billionaire donated two of the seats on the mission. The other went to Sembroski, who won a sweepstakes that raised $113 million in St. Jude donations.
