Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Inspiration4: Tom Cruise speaks with passengers on SpaceX’s all-civilian flight

Four passengers are orbiting at an altitude of more than 360 miles

Clémence Michallon
New York City
Friday 17 September 2021 15:58 EDT
Comments
SpaceX launches 4 amateur astronauts in giant leap for space tourism

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Tom Cruise has spoken to the four passengers on SpaceX’s all-civilian flight Inspiration4.

Representatives for the flight told The Associated Press on Friday that Cruise took part in a call on Thursday with the four space tourists, who are orbiting at an altitude of more than 360 miles.

Details of the conversation have been kept private. A Netflix documentary, Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space is dedicated to the journey. Four episodes have been released so far; a fifth will follow in the days after the flight comes to an end.

The Twitter account for the flight shared a Top Gun gif on Friday along with the words: “Rook, Nova, Hanks, and Leo [nicknames for all four passengers] spoke to @TomCruise sharing their experience from space. Maverick, you can be our wingman anytime.”

Maverick is Cruise’s character’s call sign in the 1986 film.

The four civilians on Inspiration4 are Jared Isaacman (Rook), Hayley Arcenaux (Nova), Dr Sian Proctor (Leo), and Chris Sembroski (Hanks).

Netflix released the most recent episode of Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space on 13 September. The final episode, which will “capture the historic launch and the crew's journey into space, culminating in their triumphant splashdown and return to Earth”, is expected to air later this month.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in