Cocoa Beach, Florida – After facing multiple delays, the much-anticipated Polaris Dawn launch is set to take off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, August 28. The mission, led by billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, aims to push the boundaries of space exploration by flying farther than any previous SpaceX mission using the Dragon capsule.
Isaacman first made headlines for his participation in the groundbreaking Inspiration4 mission, which featured an all-private citizen crew. With Polaris Dawn, Isaacman and SpaceX are taking their ambitions to new heights. The mission will involve venturing through the Van Allen radiation belt, a feat not attempted since the Apollo missions.
One of the most daring aspects of the mission is the planned commercial spacewalk at an altitude of around 700 kilometers above Earth. This will test Dragon’s capabilities for extravehicular activities and mark SpaceX’s first foray into commercial spacewalks. The mission is a joint effort between Isaacman and SpaceX, aimed at accelerating the company’s vision for multi-planetary life.
The Polaris Dawn crew will be equipped with advanced EVA suits designed to withstand the vacuum of space. These suits, which incorporate upgrades from Dragon’s intravehicular activity suits, will play a crucial role in SpaceX’s plans for establishing permanent bases on the Moon and Mars. Additionally, the Dragon spacecraft has undergone enhancements to support the spacewalk operation, including upgrades to its life support systems.
In addition to the spacewalk, the mission will test Starlink laser-based communications in space and conduct various science experiments. The crew, consisting of Isaacman, mission pilot Scott “Kidd” Poteet, and two SpaceX employees, will also study the effects of radiation on human health while passing through the Van Allen belt.
The Polaris Dawn mission is scheduled to last up to five days, with the crew reaching a maximum distance of 1,400 kilometers from Earth. The mission will conclude with a splashdown off the coast of Florida. Throughout the mission, live coverage will be available on X, providing viewers with a front-row seat to this pioneering space adventure.
As the launch date approaches, excitement is mounting among space enthusiasts and industry experts alike. With each new mission, SpaceX and its partners are pushing the boundaries of human space exploration, paving the way for future endeavors beyond Earth’s orbit. With the Polaris Dawn mission, the journey to the stars takes another significant leap forward.