Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Space
  3. News

SpaceX tracker lets you see real-time location of all-civilian space crew

Trevor Mogg
By

SpaceX made history on Wednesday night with the first orbital launch of an all-civilian crew.

The groundbreaking Inspiration4 mission marks the first significant step toward opening up space travel to so-called “amateur astronauts,” with private space company SpaceX deploying its reusable rocket system to make it happen.

Recommended Videos

The day after the launch of its Falcon 9 rocket carrying Americans Jared Isaacman, Hayley Arceneaux, Dr. Sian Proctor, and Chris Sembroski, SpaceX tweeted a link to a page showing the precise location of its Crew Dragon spacecraft as it orbits Earth. Scroll down the page to find the feature, then use the mouse to turn the globe and see where the spacecraft is heading. At the time of writing, it’s just about to pass directly over the U.S. from Texas to New England.

Related

While orbiting 358 miles (575 kilometers) above Earth — more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) higher than the International Space Station — the crew will carry out various scientific experiments designed to advance human health and assist future long-duration spaceflights. They’ll also have time to drink in the jaw-dropping views through the spacecraft’s unique observatory dome.

View from Dragon’s cupola pic.twitter.com/Z2qwKZR2lK

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 16, 2021

Following Wednesday’s successful launch and entry into orbit, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk revealed that he’d spoken to the crew, adding, “All is well.”

Just spoke with @inspiration4x crew. All is well.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 16, 2021

Buzz Aldrin, the second person to walk on the surface of our moon, also tweeted his congratulations to the Inspiration4 crew and those behind the mission, saying: “The world is inspired by the recent entrepreneurial, exceptional, tireless efforts for the furtherance of human spaceflight.” A video of the former astronaut watching Wednesday’s launch accompanied the message.

Congratulations to @inspiration4x and @SpaceX launch! The World is inspired by the recent entrepreneurial, exceptional, tireless efforts for the furtherance of Human SpaceFlight. I am with you in thoughts and spirit. pic.twitter.com/XVzIk4AvX3

— Dr. Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) September 17, 2021

The Inspiration4 mission came about after Isaacman inked a private deal with SpaceX. The Shift4 Payments founder then selected three crewmates, whose costs he covered. Together they’ve spent the last six months undergoing intensive training for the space trip.

When the mission was announced earlier this year, Isaacman said he wanted to use it to raise awareness and funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

The Crew Dragon and its four passengers will stay in space for the next three days before returning to Earth in a splashdown off the Florida coast.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Trevor Mogg
Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
SpaceX says it could fly Starship on Friday, but it depends on one thing
The Starship, comprising the first-stage Super Heavy and the upper-stage Starship spacecraft, on the launchpad at SpaceX's facility in Boca Chica, Texas.

SpaceX has said it could be in a position to perform the second launch of its next-generation Starship rocket this Friday, though it added that it can only happen once it’s received the nod from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“Starship preparing to launch as early as November 17, pending final regulatory approval," SpaceX said in a recent post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Read more
SpaceX gets big hint from FAA on next Starship launch opportunity
SpaceX testing an engine on its Starship spacecraft.

SpaceX chief Elon Musk is keen to send its next-generation Starship rocket on what will be its second crewless test mission after the first one ended spectacularly minutes after launch in April.

But first SpaceX has to receive a launch permit from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Read more
SpaceX Starship grounded by FAA until 63 fixes are made
SpaceX's Starship spacecraft during a test in June 2023.

In April, SpaceX's Starship vehicle lifted off the pad for the first time in its inaugural test flight but came to a dramatic end when it exploded in the air shortly after liftoff. SpaceX has been preparing to fly the Starship again, but another test flight won't happen just yet as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded the rocket following a recent investigation.

As reported by The Guardian, the FAA recently completed its investigation into April's test flight and found the vehicle's explosion was due to multiple factors. The company has now been presented with a lift of 63 corrective steps it will have to perform before the Starship is allowed to fly again.

Read more