SpaceX is delaying the launch of its Polaris Dawn mission by about two hours at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission will take a capsule to the highest altitude of any crewed spaceflight since the Apollo program ended over 50 years ago. Featuring an all-civilian crew of two men and two women, the mission will attempt the first-ever commercial spacewalk.
The delay was due to unfavorable weather conditions, with only a 40% chance of favorable weather at the start of the countdown. The launch window had three opportunities at 3:30, 5:30, and 7:00 a.m. to account for potential thunderstorms around the launch pad. The mission's unique challenge lies in the need for ideal weather not only during launch but also for splashdown five days later, as the spacecraft will not dock at the International Space Station for resupply.
The crew includes American businessman and philanthropist Jared Isaacman, who will command the mission. This will be his second spaceflight after the 2021 Inspiration 4 mission. The crew also comprises an experienced Air Force pilot and two SpaceX employees, one of whom is the lead astronaut trainer at SpaceX.
Isaacman's vision for Polaris Dawn goes beyond space tourism, focusing on testing and development. The crew has been training for two years to test a new EVA suit and fly humans into the radiation belt, pioneering advancements not even attempted by NASA astronauts. The mission marks the first use of a new EVA suit in space since NASA's EMUs 40 years ago, showcasing groundbreaking developments in space technology.
As the launch time approaches, the team continues to monitor weather conditions closely to ensure a successful mission. The crew's qualifications and the mission's innovative objectives position Polaris Dawn as a significant milestone in commercial space exploration.
