Polaris Dawn: SpaceX’s Historic Mission Facing Weather Delays
By Ed Malaker
The Polaris Dawn mission that SpaceX will soon begin is one of the most exciting for the private spaceflight community, as it will be the first to feature a spacewalk. While excitement is at an all-time high, the mission has faced several delays, the latest due to weather. Keep reading to learn more about the mission and get an update on when it will launch.
When will the Polaris Dawn Mission Launch?
As of now, SpaceX has not announced a specific new launch date for the Polaris Dawn mission. However, the SpaceX social media page on X states that they will provide an update when their teams determine the next best opportunity as weather conditions continue to look unfavorable. The page also states that the Falcon 9 and Dragon remain healthy and vertical, so there is no delay when a window opens.
Social Media Response
The majority of the responses to the recent post show that the community supports the decision to put safety first.
Latest forecasts continue to show unfavorable weather conditions in the areas along Florida’s coast where Dragon would splash down upon returning from space. Once teams identify the next best opportunity for launch and return of the Polaris Dawn mission, we’ll provide an update.… pic.twitter.com/f0ZJpcbQf7
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 30, 2024
Key Objectives of the Polaris Dawn Mission
First Private Spacewalk
The objective getting all of the attention on this mission is the first-ever commercial spacewalk by a private company. Two of the crew members will exit the spacecraft for approximately 15-20 minutes each to test SapceX’s new extravehicular activity (EVA) suits.
Record Altitude
The mission will attempt to reach an orbital altitude of about 870 miles (1,400 kilometers), the highest altitude achieved by a crewed spacecraft since the Apollo missions. The higher altitude will allow the crew to conduct research in an environment with higher radiation levels, providing valuable data for future deep space missions.
Scientific Research and Experiments
The mission includes over 40 science and research experiments that will cover a range of topics, including medical research, communication technologies (testing Starlink systems), and materials science.
Spacecraft and Crew
The crew includes Jared Isaacman, pilot Scott “Kidd” Poteet, and SpaceX engineers Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. They will conduct the mission aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft named Resilience.
Duration and Return
The mission will last about five days in orbit before returning to Earth and splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean.
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