The Polaris Dawn mission, a groundbreaking commercial spaceflight led by Jared Isaacman in partnership with SpaceX, is now scheduled for launch on September 4, 2024, at 3:38 a.m. EDT from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
This comes after several delays, the most recent being due to adverse weather conditions. The mission aims to reach the highest Earth orbit since the Apollo program and conduct the first commercial spacewalk. The crew will also perform 36 research experiments and test Starlink‘s laser-based communication system during their multi-day mission in orbit.
Polaris Dawn is the inaugural mission of the Polaris Program, which seeks to advance commercial space exploration through a series of ambitious objectives. The mission’s key goals include achieving an apogee of 870 miles (1,400 kilometers) above Earth, making it the highest Earth orbit since the Apollo era. This altitude will provide an unprecedented opportunity to study the effects of space radiation on human health, a critical concern for future deep-space missions, including potential crewed missions to Mars.
Jared Isaacman, the mission commander, along with SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis, will venture outside the Crew Dragon spacecraft, marking a significant milestone in commercial spaceflight. The spacewalk will occur without a traditional airlock, requiring the entire spacecraft to be depressurized—a complex and risky maneuver that underscores the mission’s pioneering spirit.
The Polaris Dawn crew consists of four members: Jared Isaacman, Scott “Kidd” Poteet, Sarah Gillis, and Anna Menon. All crew members have undergone extensive training, including simulations, centrifuge operations, zero-gravity flights, and EVA suit testing. Their rigorous preparation reflects the mission’s challenging objectives and the crew’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of commercial space exploration.
Jared Isaacman, who previously commanded the Inspiration4 mission, brings a wealth of experience to the table. Scott Poteet, a retired U.S. Air Force pilot, will serve as the mission pilot, while SpaceX engineers Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon will take on roles as mission specialists. This mission marks the first spaceflight for Poteet, Gillis, and Menon, highlighting the program’s focus on expanding access to space for civilian astronauts.
The Polaris Dawn mission will launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the Crew Dragon “Resilience” spacecraft making its third journey to space. The Falcon 9 booster, designated B1083, is set to make its fourth flight and will aim for a recovery on the droneship “A Shortfall of Gravitas” in the Atlantic Ocean. The mission is expected to last several days, with the spacecraft returning to Earth via a splashdown at sea.
