SpaceX has delayed its much-anticipated Polaris Dawn mission, which features an all-civilian crew set to perform the first-ever spacewalk by private citizens. The mission was initially scheduled to launch early Wednesday morning from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, but unfavorable weather conditions in the capsule’s splashdown areas forced a postponement. The company has not yet announced a new launch date. An earlier attempt on Tuesday was also canceled due to a helium leak on the line connecting the tower to the rocket.
SpaceX postpones historic mission featuring first private spacewalk https://t.co/FGaz3ZID9w
— The Straits Times (@straits_times) August 28, 2024
The Polaris Dawn mission, spearheaded by fintech billionaire Jared Isaacman, marks a significant milestone in private space exploration. Isaacman, who previously paid $200 million to be part of SpaceX’s Inspiration4 mission in 2021, is aiming to become the first non-professional astronaut to conduct a private spacewalk. Isaacman has organized and funded much of the Polaris Dawn project with SpaceX, although he has not disclosed the total investment.
The mission will use a SpaceX Dragon capsule launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket. The crew plans to reach altitudes as high as 1,400 kilometers (870 miles), which would be the highest point achieved by any crewed mission since NASA’s Apollo program over 50 years ago. The six-day mission aims to conduct various scientific and technological experiments, including a spacewalk scheduled for the third day.
The crew consists of Isaacman, retired U.S. Air Force pilot Scott Poteet, and SpaceX engineers Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis. All four members have undergone extensive training over the past two years, dedicating thousands of hours to simulated drills in preparation for the mission.
Polaris Dawn: The First Spacewalk by Commercial Astronauts Will Be Historic, But the Mission Carries Risks https://t.co/BBJqZtjA9C via @ein_news
— Robert Meintzer (@geokem7) August 28, 2024
During the spacewalk, Isaacman and Gillis will exit the spacecraft wearing SpaceX’s upgraded spacesuits, which feature displays and helmet cameras. The walk, planned to occur 700 kilometers above Earth, is expected to last about two hours. In addition to the spacewalk, the crew will conduct tests related to communication with Starlink internet satellites and study the effects of traveling through the Van Allen radiation belt, an area of highly charged particles in space.
The delay of the Polaris Dawn mission underscores the challenges of space travel, particularly for private ventures pushing the boundaries of human exploration. Despite the setbacks, SpaceX and the Polaris Dawn crew remain committed to achieving their historic objectives.
Key Points:
i. SpaceX has postponed the Polaris Dawn mission due to unfavorable weather conditions and a previous helium leak.
ii. The mission, led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, aims to achieve the first private spacewalk by civilians.
iii. The crew will use a SpaceX Dragon capsule launched on a Falcon 9 rocket, planning to reach the highest altitude for a crewed mission since Apollo.
iv. The crew consists of Isaacman, Scott Poteet, Anna Menon, and Sarah Gillis, all of whom have undergone extensive training.
v. The mission includes a planned spacewalk, Starlink communication tests, and observations of the Van Allen radiation belt.
Conner T – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
