Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission, originally set to launch on August 26, has been delayed again, with the new tentative launch date pushed to August 30 due to unfavorable weather.
The mission was first postponed to August 27 for additional preflight checks. However, a helium leak was detected, leading to further delays and rescheduling for August 28.
SpaceX announced on August 27 that unfavourable weather conditions in the splashdown areas off the coast of Florida prompted another delay, pushing the launch to the earliest possible date of August 30.
Polaris Dawn will send a four-person crew to Earth orbit aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket. The mission will include the first private spacewalk and aims to reach an altitude of 870 miles, the highest since the Apollo missions.
The crew consists of commander Jared Isaacman, pilot Scott "Kidd" Poteet, and mission specialists Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur, is funding the mission and previously flew on the Inspiration4 mission.
A key highlight of Polaris Dawn will be the first-ever private spacewalk, conducted by Isaacman and Gillis. The mission aims to set new milestones in commercial space exploration.
SpaceX has not yet confirmed a new launch date, though Wednesday and Thursday are now ruled out. The earliest possible liftoff is expected on Friday, August 30, depending on weather conditions.
Polaris Dawn marks the first spaceflight for Poteet, Gillis, and Menon. For Isaacman, it’s his second mission, following his previous Inspiration4 flight, with plans for two more missions under the Polaris Program.