SpaceX aiming July 31 for historic Polaris Dawn astronaut mission launch; Details inside

SpaceX has set July 31 as the highly anticipated launch date for the Polaris Dawn mission, billionaire Jared Isaacman's second spaceflight. Here's everything you need to know.

By Sakina Kaukawala

Published on Jul 04, 2024 | 04:28 PM IST | 20.3K

Image Courtesy: Twitter/ Polaris

SpaceX plans to launch the Polaris Dawn mission on July 31, marking billionaire Jared Isaacman's second spaceflight. This mission, part of his private human spaceflight program, is expected to set historical records such as the first private spacewalk and advanced experiments as per Space.com.

Polaris Dawn mission overview and objectives

Polaris Dawn, named after the North Star, seeks to push the boundaries of private space exploration. The mission, led by Isaacman and supported by SpaceX founder Elon Musk, will launch SpaceX's Dragon capsule on a Falcon 9 rocket. This launch is more than just a technical achievement; it is a continuation of Isaacman's dedication to advancing civilian space exploration.

The Polaris Dawn crew consists of a diverse group of experts. The pilot will be retired Lieutenant Colonel Scott 'Kidd' Poteet of the United States Air Force, who will be joined by mission specialists Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, both of whom are experienced SpaceX operations engineers. Their mission is scheduled to take them approximately 435 miles above the Earth's surface, surpassing the altitude of the International Space Station.

The Polaris Dawn mission marks a significant advance in private spaceflight capabilities. It will be the highest-altitude crewed flight since the Apollo moon missions of the 1960s and 1970s.

Development and delays in Polaris Dawn mission

Despite initial plans for a late 2022 launch, the mission has faced several developmental delays, with the most recent postponement pushing the expected April launch date into the summer of 2024. Project representatives stated that these delays were necessary to ensure the mission's safety and success.

Polaris Dawn is only the beginning of Isaacman's ambitious plans for the Polaris Program. With future missions already planned, Isaacman hopes to build on the success of the Inspiration4 mission, which raised $250 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in 2021. The Polaris missions not only push the limits of space exploration, but they also hope to inspire and educate the public about the possibilities of civilian space travel.

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