Polaris Dawn: SpaceX targets new launch date for daring crewed mission

The could launch as early as Tuesday morning, sending its four-member crew of astronauts rocketing into orbit, where they will attempt the first-ever commercial spacewalk, SpaceX announced. The pioneering private mission intended to put SpaceX technology to the test ahead of future has encountered and that have forced delay after delay. But now the Polaris Dawn crew might finally embark this week on the daring cosmic adventure after at the Kennedy Space Center to make the final preparations for the long-awaited mission.

Targeting no earlier than Tuesday, September 10 for Falcon 9’s launch of the Polaris Dawn mission → Weather is currently 40% favorable for liftoff, and conditions at the possible splashdown sites for Dragon’s return to Earth remain a watch item — SpaceX (@SpaceX) Led by billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, the crew is scheduled to journey higher than any human has reached in more than 50 years since the Apollo era and will attempt to become the first nongovernment astronauts to expose themselves to the vacuum of space. Isaacman, who was also behind that marked the first all-civilian crew spaceflight, funded the expedition along with Elon Musk's SpaceX. SpaceX confirmed the new targeted launch date Sunday night .



The Falcon 9 rocket that will carry the Polaris Dawn crew to orbit on a SpaceX Dragon capsule is targeting a 3:38 a.m. EDT launch Tuesday, .

The four-hour launch window also includes additional launch times at 5:23 a.m. and 7:09 a.

m., the company said. If the launch doesn't take place Tuesday, SpaceX said another four-hour window is available Wednesday with the same launch times.

SpaceX will stream the launch , with the feed beginning about three-and-a-half hours before liftoff. FLORIDA TODAY, part of the USA TODAY Network, will provide live coverage starting about two hours before liftoff at . After three previous Polaris Dawn launch dates have been scrubbed, SpaceX has been waiting on a good weather forecast before scheduling another launch opportunity.

The Federal Aviation Administration following an uncrewed landing mishap. Fortunately for SpaceX – and the Polaris Dawn crew – to resume launches within a couple days. The first delay came when from Aug.

26 to Aug. 27 to give teams more time to complete preflight checks. By the time the launch date came, a helium leak on a piece a equipment designed to detach from the rocket during takeoff .

The on Aug. 28 was on account of bad weather forecasted for the crew's return to Earth. I wanted to share some updates: - The primary factor driving the launch timing for Polaris Dawn is the splashdown weather within Dragon's limits.

Unlike an ISS mission, we don’t have the option to delay long on orbit, so we must ensure the forecast is as favorable as possible...

— Jared Isaacman (@rookisaacman) As Isaacman , the mission requires a good weather forecast not only for launch, but for the crew's return five days later when they splash down off the coast of Florida. Since Polaris Dawn is not docking with the , the crew is entirely reliant on the resources they have in the Dragon and cannot delay a landing. That makes planning for a safe return during a set time period crucial.

The crew has remained in quarantine "staying productive, keeping fit, and ready to launch within approximately 30 hours of receiving a favorable forecast," Isaacman said on X. "Space exploration demands patience, resilience, and teamwork," Isaacman said. "We are deeply grateful for the dedication of everyone involved and for the support of those who believe in our mission.

Together, we are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and continuing humanity’s journey to the stars." is the first of three human spaceflights under the Polaris Program, all of which are intended to test SpaceX technologies needed to carry humans . Isaacman, founder of payments platform Shift4, previously flew to space as commander of .

He will command that includes pilot and SpaceX engineers and , both of them mission specialists. Menon she co-authored for her own kids while in orbit. The crew eventually plans to spend five days in orbit testing technology on behalf of SpaceX that could prove crucial as NASA and set their .

The launch itself should take the SpaceX Dragon capsule 870 miles above Earth – a trajectory that will take the crew through the treacherous inner regions of the planet's Van Allen radiation belts. Once Polaris Dawn descends to a new cruising orbit at an altitude of about 435 miles, the crew will attempt to become the first nongovernment astronauts to do a spacewalk. Because the Dragon does not have an airlock, the entire spacecraft will have to be depressurized when the hatch is opened, exposing to the vacuum of space.

All four astronauts will be wearing extravehicular activity (EVA) suits designed by SpaceX to receive oxygen through tethers, which they will on behalf of the company. The crew will also complete about 40 scientific experiments – many of which aim to understand the human body's reaction to long spaceflights – and test a new laser-based satellite communication system using Starlink..