StarTalk Radio Cosmic Queries – Launching the Inspiration4 with Chris Mason & Sian Proctor
Nov 16, 2021
Join biophysicist Chris Mason and geoscientist Sian Proctor as they delve into the groundbreaking Inspiration4 mission, the first all-civilian journey to orbit. Mason analyzes the health impacts of microgravity, while Proctor shares her unique experience as a mission pilot. They discuss the physiological challenges astronauts face, the transformative views of Earth from space, and how civilian space travel can reshape our understanding of humanity. With humor, they touch on the quirks of space food and the future of space tourism.
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Inspiration4 Mission
- Sian Proctor piloted the SpaceX Dragon capsule for Inspiration4, the first all-civilian orbital mission.
- The mission aimed to raise $200 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Orbital Significance
- Inspiration4 was the first civilian mission to achieve orbit, a feat requiring significantly more energy than suborbital flights.
- The Dragon capsule orbited above the Hubble Telescope, higher than any human has been since Hubble's servicing missions.
Bio-data Collection
- Chris Mason analyzed biological data from the Inspiration4 crew, including blood, stool, urine, saliva, and skin swabs.
- The goal was to understand the body's response to space and prepare for longer missions.