SpaceX successfully launched the highly anticipated Polaris Dawn mission on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 5:23 a.m. EDT (0923 GMT) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission, led by billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, is set to achieve several groundbreaking milestones in the realm of private space exploration.

Launch and Ascent

The Polaris Dawn crew, consisting of Isaacman, pilot Scott Poteet, and SpaceX employees Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, were secured inside a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule as the Falcon 9 rocket ignited, creating a brilliant flash and a thunderous roar. Approximately 2 minutes and 40 seconds into the flight, the Falcon 9’s first stage separated from the second stage, which then propelled the Crew Dragon spacecraft to an initial elliptical orbit with an apogee of about 745 miles (1,200 kilometers) and a perigee of approximately 118 miles (190 km).

Record-Breaking Orbit

After a few orbits, the Crew Dragon will raise its apogee to around 870 miles (1,400 km), surpassing the highest Earth orbit achieved since the Apollo program. This trajectory will take the crew through parts of the Van Allen radiation belt, enabling crucial studies on the effects of space radiation on human health.

First Commercial Spacewalk

On the third day of the mission, Isaacman and Gillis are expected to conduct the first-ever commercial spacewalk, testing SpaceX’s new extravehicular activity (EVA) suits designed for future long-duration missions. This historic EVA will take place at a lower altitude of about 310 miles (500 kilometers) above Earth.

Scientific Experiments and Starlink Testing

Throughout the five-day mission, the Polaris Dawn crew will conduct approximately 40 scientific experiments, including brain imaging and X-ray tests using natural space radiation. They will also test Starlink laser-based communications in space, providing valuable data for future deep space missions.

Return to Earth

On the fifth day, the crew will prepare for their return journey, ensuring all mission objectives have been achieved. The Crew Dragon is expected to splash down on the sixth day after liftoff, performing a series of deorbit burns to align its trajectory for landing. The spacecraft will parachute into the ocean off the coast of Florida, where a recovery ship will retrieve the capsule and crew.

The Polaris Dawn mission marks a significant step forward in private spaceflight, pushing the boundaries of what is possible for commercial space exploration. Its success could pave the way for more ambitious private space missions in the future, advancing our understanding of human spaceflight and its potential applications.