Private Spacewalk and Starlink Internet Service Launch Delayed for Polaris Dawn Mission
The highly anticipated private spacewalk and launch of the Polaris Dawn mission have been delayed, pushing back the historic event to this summer. The mission, organized by the Polaris Program, aims to achieve the first-ever private spacewalk, test SpaceX’s Starlink internet service in space, and conduct various science experiments. The announcement of the delay was made on Thursday, February 8th, citing the need for additional developmental time to ensure mission success and the safety of the crew.
The Polaris Dawn mission will utilize SpaceX hardware, with four individuals set to be launched into Earth orbit aboard a Crew Dragon capsule atop a Falcon 9 rocket. The crew members include Jared Isaacman, the billionaire behind the Polaris Program, retired U.S. Air Force colonel Scott Poteet, and SpaceX employees Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. Isaacman will assume command of the mission, with Poteet serving as the pilot, and Gillis and Menon taking on the roles of payload specialist and medical officer, respectively.
During its time in Earth orbit, Polaris Dawn is expected to spend up to five days. Similar to the Inspiration4 mission in September 2021, which Isaacman also commanded and funded, Polaris Dawn will be a free flyer and will not dock with the International Space Station. Additionally, the mission will raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, just as Inspiration4 did.
This recent delay is not the first setback for the Polaris Dawn mission, as it was initially scheduled for a late 2022 launch. However, these delays are necessary to ensure that all mission goals are met and that a safe launch and return of Dragon and the crew can be achieved.
Polaris Dawn is the first of three missions planned under the Polaris Program, which aims to push the boundaries of private spaceflight. Jared Isaacman, the visionary entrepreneur behind the program, has expressed his intention to utilize SpaceX’s next-generation Starship rocket for at least one of the future Polaris missions. The Starship rocket has already completed two test flights in April and November of last year, with a third flight anticipated to take place this month.
While the delay may disappoint space enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the first private spacewalk, it is crucial to prioritize safety and mission success. The Polaris Dawn mission represents a significant milestone in private space exploration and will undoubtedly pave the way for future advancements in the field. As we wait for the summer launch, anticipation builds for the groundbreaking achievements that await us in the realm of private spaceflight.