In Pics: SpaceX capsule's first all-civilian orbital crew return

The quartet of newly-minted citizen astronauts comprising the SpaceX Inspiration4 mission safely splashed down in the Atlantic off Florida's coast on September 18, completing a three-day flight of the first all-civilian crew ever sent into Earth's orbit. The successful launch and return of the mission, the latest in a recent string of rocket-powered expeditions bankrolled by their billionaire passengers, marked another milestone in the fledgling industry of commercial Astro-tourism, 60 years after the dawn of human spaceflight.

A SpaceX capsule carrying four people splashes down in the Atlantic off the Florida coast. Credit: AP

Passengers aboard a SpaceX capsule, from left to right, Hayley Arceneaux, Jared Isaacman, Sian Proctor and Chris Sembroski pose after the capsule was recovered following its splashdown in the Atlantic off the Florida coast. The all-amateur crew was the first to circle the world without a professional astronaut. Credit: AP/PTI

Inspiration4 crew Jared Isaacman, Sian Proctor, Hayley Arceneaux, and Chris Sembroski chatting with St. Jude patients from space. Credit: SpaceX/Handout via Reuters

Inspiration4 crew Jared Isaacman, Sian Proctor, Hayley Arceneaux, and Chris Sembroski chatting with St. Jude patients from space. Credit: SpaceX/Handout via Reuters

Inspiration4 crew seen on their first day in space. Credit: SpaceX/Handout via Reuters

Inspiration4 crew member Hayley Arceneaux looking out of an observation window while in orbit. - SpaceX's all-civilian Inspiration4 crew spent their first day in orbit conducting scientific research and talking to children at a pediatric cancer hospital, after blasting off on their pioneering mission from Cape Canaveral the night before. Credit: Inspiration4/AFP

In this image taken from SpaceX video, passengers aboard a SpaceX capsule react as the capsule parachutes into the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida coast. Credit: AP/PTI

SpaceX video, passengers aboard a SpaceX capsule. Credit: AP Photo

Inspiration4 crew member Jared Isaacman seen on their first day in space. Credit: SpaceX/Handout via Reuters