SpaceX is gearing up for its historic Polaris Dawn mission, which will send four astronauts into orbit aboard its Crew Dragon capsule. The five-day trip to the Van Allen radiation belt included the first spacewalk by private astronauts.
If you’re curious about the mission, here’s what you should know about today’s launch targeting which is currently targeting 5:23AM ET.
What is the mission of Polaris Dawn?
First announced in 2022, Polaris Dawn is a mission funded by billionaire and private astronaut Jared Isaacman. In addition to Isaacman, three other privately trained astronauts will join the mission, including retired US Air Force fighter pilot Scott Poteet, as well as SpaceX engineers Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis. Only Isaacman and Gillis will perform the spacewalk, which will take place around 430 miles above Earth.
Once launched into orbit, the four crew members will reach a maximum altitude of about 870 miles, making it the farthest astronauts have traveled since the Apollo missions more than 50 years ago. They will also fly through the Van Allen belts, two bands of radiation that NASA says are made up of high-energy particles coming from the Sun and the atmosphere’s interaction with cosmic rays.
Why is Polaris Dawn so important?
The spacewalk was not the only purpose of the Polaris Dawn mission. The astronauts will also test SpaceX’s extravehicular activity (EVA) spacesuits, which are made with new materials for improved mobility. These suits are paired with a 3D-printed helmet with a heads-up display and a visor designed to reduce glare.
All four astronauts will wear upgraded suits when the spacewalk takes place, as Crew Dragon does not have an airlock, leaving crew members inside the capsule “exposed to the vacuum of space,” according to SpaceX. During the spacewalk, Isaacman and Gillis will conduct tests with the new spacesuits.
Since the capsule will pass through the Van Allen radiation belt, the mission will also contribute to research on the effects of space radiation on the human body. Additionally, the Polaris Dawn crew will test Starlink’s satellite internet technology to communicate with Earth, as well as conduct research on decompression sickness and Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome.
When is Polaris Dawn?
Polaris Dawn was scheduled for a launch attempt on Tuesday, August 27th, but that was scrubbed while teams “looked more closely at a ground-side helium leak in the Quick Disconnect umbilical, according to @SpaceX. After another delay, the failure of a Falcon 9 rocket attempt to land has caused the FAA to temporarily ground the rocket, halting the Polaris Dawn launch.
SpaceX is now targeting a launch on Tuesday, September 10th. The first launch opportunity was at 3:38AM ET but turbulent weather pushed the schedule to 5:23AM ET. So far the weather looks good for the launch. The next time is at 7:09AM ET. If not, they will try to launch on Wednesday, September 11th at the same time.
The Crew Dragon capsule will launch aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
How to watch the Polaris Dawn launch
You can watch a livestream of the mission from the SpaceX website and its X page.
The spacewalk, which will take place on the third day of the mission, will also be livestreamed. It is likely to be available from the SpaceX website and the X.
Update, September 10th: Added launch delay details and current launch schedule.
