Inspiration4 civilian crew enthusiastic as SpaceX launch nears
The two men and two women about to make history as the first all-civilian crew to orbit the Earth in space said Tuesday they were thrillabout their upcoming mission.
The quartet held a press conference in the SpaceX hangar at the Kennedy Space Center. The open bay doors behind them gave a view of Launch Complex 39A and the Falcon 9 rocket that will carry them to space.
The mission, dubbed Inspiration4, is being paid for by Jared Isaacman, a 38-year-old billionaire high-school dropout, who is promoting the flight as massive fundraising effort for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
The goal is to raise $200 million, and Isaacman has pledged the first $100 million. He will serve as mission commander, and he said the crew's ongoing seven-month training regiment has left little time for reflection.
"From the time this mission was announced in this hangar to where we are today, we've just been going supersonic," Isaacman said.
"It's just been super fast. One training event after the next. And a number of these life-changing experiences in their own right — in quick succession," he said.
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The Inspiration4 crew has trained for hundreds of hours at SpaceX locations, including zero-G flights, a climbing expedition on Mount Rainier, and simulated 12- and 30-hour flights inside a replica capsule.
Hayley Arceneaux, 29, was treated for childhood cancer at St. Jude, and she now works there as a physician assistant. She was chosen to represent the hospital on the Inspiration4, and she will serve as the mission's medical officer.
"We just couldn't be more excited about the mission. I think we have a lot of future astronauts at St. Jude now," she said.
Arceneaux cited medical research that will be conducted during the flight, such as tests to see how microorganisms within the human body change in orbit. Other research will include ultrasounds, cognitive tests and effects of interstellar radiation.
Sian Proctor, 51, a finalist to become a NASA astronaut in 2009, said the mission is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. By becoming the fourth Black female astronaut, she said she hopes to inspire a new generation of women of color to think about "reaching for the stars" by serving as mission pilot.
"Since the announcement when we were here last, every day has been the best day of my life. And it's only getting better," Proctor said, turning in her chair and pointing at the Falcon 9 rocket behind her.
Chris Sembroski, a 42-year data engineer from Everett, Washington, was chosen from among people who made donations to St. Jude. He said being part of the mission has been inspirational for him and his family, and that he hopes it inspires others.
"I hope people take the opportunity to look ahead and look at each other and feel inspired to pursue whatever it is that you are passionate about," said Sembroski, who will serve as mission specialist.
During the press conference, Benji Reed, SpaceX's senior director of human spaceflight, said Inspiration4 is a step toward someday putting millions of people in space.
"The long-term vision is that space flight becomes airline-like, right? You buy a ticket, and you go. But right now, the appropriate thing is we still train people significantly," Reed said.
"This crew has been astronaut-trained like our other crews that we've trained before," he said.
A 25+ year veteran of FLORIDA TODAY, John McCarthy currently oversees the space team and special projects. Support quality local journalism by subscribing to FLORIDA TODAY. You can contact McCarthy at 321-752-5018 or jmccarthy@floridatoday.com.