Polaris Dawn Launch: What to Watch For

The historic mission will see civilian astronauts attempt a spacewalk for the first time in history, and spaceflight enthusiasts can watch it live.

Monday, September 09, 2024 at 04:10 PM ET

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SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule are stacked on the pad at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. [Courtesy: Polaris Program]

Key Takeaways:

SpaceX's Polaris Dawn is an ambitious, five-day civilian spaceflight aiming for several firsts and records, led by billionaire Jared Isaacman.
Key mission objectives include the first-ever civilian spacewalk, testing new EVA suits, and reaching the highest Earth orbit for humans since Apollo 17.
The civilian spacewalk is particularly risky as the modified Crew Dragon capsule lacks an airlock, exposing all four crew members to the vacuum of space.
Beyond its experimental goals, the mission will also demonstrate a new laser communication system and serve as a charitable endeavor for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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In the early hours of Tuesday morning, SpaceX plans to launch four civilian astronauts on its most experimental and risky human spaceflight yet. And you can follow along as the crew attempt feats that haven’t been achieved in more than half a century—or ever.

Polaris Dawn, a five-day orbital mission purchased from the company by Jared Isaacman, the billionaire CEO of Shift4 Payments, is scheduled for lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida no earlier than 3:38 a.m. EDT Tuesday morning. Backup launch opportunities are available at 5:23 a.m. EDT and 7:09 a.m. EDT, with the same approximately four-hour window open Wednesday morning.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.