SpaceX launches world’s first ‘amateur astronaut’ crew to orbit Earth

Launch marks biggest advancement so far in space tourism as Elon Musk's company conducts first chartered passenger flight

SpaceX has launched the world's first crew of amateur astronauts" on a private flight to circle Earth for three days.

Wednesday night's successful launch marked the most ambitious leap yet in space tourism. It's the first chartered passenger flight for Elon Musk's space company and the first time a rocket streaked toward orbit with a crew that contained no professional astronauts.