SpaceX's Polaris Dawn Mission Set to Break Records Amid Weather Challenges

In the face of persistent unfavorable weather conditions both locally and offshore, SpaceX has made preparations for yet another attempt to launch the privately funded mission, Polaris Dawn. This ambitious mission aims to break a post-Apollo altitude record and mark the first non-government commercial spacewalk. Assuming final clearance, the crew, including billionaire commander Jared Isaacman, pilot Scott Poteet, and two SpaceX engineers, Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis, planned to board their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule just after 1 a.m. EDT Tuesday and await liftoff from pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center at 3:38 a.m.

Challenges and Delays

SpaceX had predicted a 60% chance of unfavorable weather along Florida's Space Coast, leading to concerns about the off-shore splashdown zones where the crew is set to land at the end of their five-day mission. Unlike previous Crew Dragon missions to the International Space Station, the Polaris Dawn crew cannot remain in orbit much beyond the planned mission duration due to the lack of a safe haven in case of bad splashdown weather. Despite these challenges, Isaacman remained optimistic, stating on social media, "this is a big improvement over the last two weeks. We are getting closer to getting this mission to orbit." 

Notable Weather Forecasts and Launch Delays

The launch was originally scheduled for Aug. 26, but the flight was delayed by 24 hours to complete normal pre-flight processing. A further 24-hour slip was ordered after engineers discovered a leak in a launch pad umbilical that delivers helium to push propellants to the rocket's engines. Fortunately, by the afternoon of Aug. 27, all systems appeared "go," and good launch weather was expected along Florida's Space Coast. However, hopes for a timely launch were once again dashed after a late-night weather review, causing the flight to slip day by day.Pending an improvement in the end-of-mission weather, Isaacman echoed the sentiment of patience, stating, "Sometimes, the hardest journeys require the most patience, and we're ready to wait for the right moment. We know many have traveled to see the launch, and we're grateful for your support."

Objectives of the Polaris Dawn Mission

The crew hopes to achieve one of the mission's primary objectives shortly after launch, reaching an orbit with a high point (apogee) of 870 miles and a low point (perigee) of 118 miles. In contrast, the International Space Station operates in a circular orbit at an altitude of about 260 miles, making Polaris Dawn's intended orbit significantly higher. At the high point of the Crew Dragon's elliptical orbit, the crew will find themselves farther from Earth than any piloted spacecraft since the end of the Apollo moon program. However, the crew will only spend about 10 hours in that extremely elliptical orbit before the ship's thrusters lower the apogee to 435 miles. 

The First Non-Government Spacewalk

The second major objective of the mission is to perform the first non-government spacewalk, planned for flight day 3. Isaacman and Gillis will take turns floating in open space just above the Crew Dragon's open hatch, attached to the spacecraft by umbilicals and safety tethers. Unlike past spacewalks, the Crew Dragon does not have an airlock, necessitating venting the cabin to vacuum before the hatch is opened. Despite not physically stepping outside, Poteet and Menon will be counted among the world's spacewalkers, pushing the boundaries of human presence in space.