The highly anticipated Polaris Dawn mission, which includes the first commercial spacewalk, is now set to launch early Wednesday, August 28 after a brief delay due to a technical issue. This mission marks a significant milestone in space exploration as four civilians prepare to embark on a privately chartered spaceflight.

The Polaris Dawn crew, composed of four pioneering individuals, is on the verge of making history with the first spacewalk ever performed by non-government astronauts.

Leading this groundbreaking mission is billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, who previously commanded the historic all-civilian spaceflight in 2021. Isaacman and his crew arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida last week to finalize preparations. SpaceX has announced that the launch is now targeted for no earlier than Wednesday morning.

The crew's journey will take them to the upper reaches of Earth's orbit, where they will spend five crucial days conducting tests that could pave the way for future deep space exploration. The mission will conclude with a splashdown in the ocean on the sixth day.

What is the Polaris Dawn Mission?

Polaris Dawn is much more than a billionaire-funded trip to space. While in orbit, Isaacman and his team aim to achieve several historic milestones while testing space technology on behalf of SpaceX, technology that could be vital as NASA and other space agencies set their sights on destinations like Mars.

During their five-day stay aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, the crew will:

Reach Record-High Altitudes: The mission aims to reach altitudes higher than any human has traveled since NASA's Apollo lunar program ended in the 1970s. The Dragon spacecraft will navigate through the Van Allen radiation belt, approximately 870 miles from Earth's surface—over three times higher than the International Space Station.

First-Ever Civilian Spacewalk: Two crew members will attempt a spacewalk while 435 miles above Earth, wearing specially designed Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) suits by SpaceX. Due to the Dragon spacecraft's lack of an airlock, the entire interior will be exposed to the vacuum of space, requiring all four astronauts to wear the suits and receive oxygen through tethers.

Conduct Scientific Experiments and Test New Technology: The crew will perform nearly 40 scientific experiments and test a new laser-based satellite communication system using Starlink. The mission also aims to raise awareness and funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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