Wed. 09/15 - Civilian? Amateur? Private? Whatever, They're Going to Space!

<p><strong><em>SpaceX’s Inspiration4 all-civilian crew is blasting off tonight in Cape Canaveral. Here’s everything you need to know about the historic launch. Plus, the Māori Party in New Zealand has introduced a petition to rename the country its Māori language name, Aotearoa. And a newly identified species of insect has been named after RuPaul.</em></strong></p><p>Sponsors:</p><ul><li>Indeed, Get a free $75 credit at <a href="http://indeed.com/goodnews" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Indeed.com/goodnews</a></li><li>Upstart, <a href="http://upstart.com/kottke" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">upstart.com/kottke</a></li></ul><p>Links:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/14/science/spacex-launch-mission-inspiration4.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SpaceX's Latest Mission Will Launch Four People Into Orbit</a> (NY Times)</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/15/science/spacex-launch-time-schedule-inspiration4.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SpaceX Mission: How to Watch the Inspiration4 Launch</a> (NY Times)&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/09/15/1035797/inspiration4-spacex-private-mission" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Inspiration4: Why SpaceX’s first all-private mission is a big deal</a> (MIT Technology Review)</li><li><a href="https://www.space.com/private-astronauts-are-not-space-tourists" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Private astronauts are not 'space tourists' (op-ed)</a> (Space.com)</li><li><a href="https://www.wired.com/story/spacexs-all-civilian-inspiration4-crew-readies-for-launch/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SpaceX’s All-Civilian Inspiration4 Crew Readies for Launch</a> (Wired)</li><li><a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/09/four-private-citizens-launch-today-further-opening-new-era-of-spaceflight/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The era of orbital private spaceflight truly begins with today’s launch</a> (Ars Technica)</li><li><a hr