SpaceX finally launches multi-day Polaris Dawn mission

After several delays and unfavorable weather forecasts, SpaceX and the Polaris Program have finally launched the multi-day Polaris Dawn mission to orbit. The Falcon 9 escorting this launch lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The Dragon capsule is carrying four crew members including Mission Commander, Jared Isaacman, Mission Pilot Kidd Poteet, Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, and Anna Menon. It is launched in an elliptical orbit of 190 x 1,200 km, and it will orbit the Earth eight times before rising to an apogee of 1,400 km.

This will be the highest point in orbit humans have ever traveled since the Apollo program over 50 years ago.

After making six orbits at 1,400 km, the spacecraft will lower itself to a 190 x 700 km elliptical orbit in preparation for the first spacewalk from Dragon.

The crew members are wearing new EVA suits by SpaceX and use them to get out of the spacecraft for a spacewalk. These are designed for high mobility and use new materials, fabrication processes, and novel joint designs for maximum flexibility during spacewalk.

The Dragon spacecraft has stored 36 research studies and experiments from 31 institutions to observe and advance human health on Earth and in long-duration space missions. The spacecraft also has a Starlink terminal installed to test laser-based communication in space.

Following a stage separation, the company sent back the first stage to its landing barge stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. Meanwhile, the second stage led the mission and inserted the Polaris Dawn mission orbit. Now, the crew will spend 5 days in orbit. SpaceX has confirmed that the Dragon spacecraft is performing normally.

Liftoff of Polaris Dawn! pic.twitter.com/VeGfJxzWKl

— Polaris (@PolarisProgram) September 10, 2024

The article will be updated…