Billionaire-led Polaris Dawn mission sends four astronauts to record distance from Earth in Crew Dragon

A group of four private astronauts, led by a billionaire entrepreneur, embarked on an ambitious space mission, Polaris Dawn, on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. The mission, which had been grounded for two weeks due to adverse weather conditions in Florida, took off through a break in the weather before sunrise.

Daring Endeavors

The astronauts, aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, ventured on an elliptical path, reaching a staggering 755 miles above the Earth’s surface, surpassing any human being’s distance from the planet in over 50 years. Among them, Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon made history by traveling farther than any women have ever done before.

Throughout the mission, the orbits were meticulously planned to minimize radiation exposure for the crew and reduce the risk of collisions with microscopic rocks in space. This careful consideration demonstrates the commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the astronauts during their extraordinary journey.