Polaris Dawn, the inaugural mission of the private human spaceflight program funded by billionaire astronaut Jared Isaacman, is set to launch on July 31, according to a statement released today on X. In his post, he thanked SpaceX, Polaris Dawn and NASA for helping them clear a critical milestone. He said "More details on that test soon, but for now we are moving on to refresher sims and then off to NASA Kennedy Space Centre".
Image Credit: Polaris Program
This groundbreaking mission will mark the first commercial spaceflight to include a spacewalk, with the crew utilizing bespoke SpaceX spacesuits designed specifically for the occasion.
The Polaris Dawn crew, comprising Isaacman, retired USAF Lieut. Col. Scott "Kidd" Poteet, Sarah Gillis, and Anna Menon, will embark on a historic journey to an altitude of approximately 435 miles (700 kilometers) above Earth. This orbit surpasses the International Space Station's orbit and represents the highest-altitude crewed flight since the Apollo moon missions of the 1960s and 1970s.
As the first mission of the Polaris Program, Polaris Dawn aims to support charitable causes while advancing space exploration. The program is inspired by the success of the Inspiration4 mission in September 2021, which raised $250 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
The crew has been undergoing rigorous training, building on NASA's expertise in identifying stressful environments and situations. The mission's complexity required developmental delays, with the most recent pushback occurring in February 2024. However, the additional time has ensured the necessary preparation for a safe and successful launch and return.
The Polaris Dawn mission represents a significant milestone in private space exploration, pushing the boundaries of what commercial companies can achieve. As the space industry continues to evolve, this mission paves the way for future endeavors, solidifying the role of private companies in humanity's exploration of the cosmos.
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Where will the launch be? Which city?
Where will the Polaris Dawn be launched from?