Polaris Dawn

{{Infobox spaceflight

| name = Polaris Dawn

| image = File:Logo of Polaris Dawn.svg

File:Falcon 9 Polaris Dawn Launch (8634899).jpg

| image_caption = Launch of Polaris Dawn

| mission_type = Private spaceflight

| operator = SpaceX

| website = {{Official URL}}

| mission_duration = {{time interval|10 September 2024 09:23:49|15 September 2024 07:37:10|show=dhm}}

| orbits_completed = 75

| spacecraft = {{ComV|Dragon 2|Resilience|full=nolink}}

| spacecraft_type = Crew Dragon

| crew_size = 4

| crew_members = {{Unbulleted list|Jared Isaacman|Scott Poteet|Sarah Gillis|Anna Menon}}

| crew_EVAs = 1

| crew_EVA_duration = 26 minutes{{cite web |url=https://planet4589.org/space/astro/lists/evas.html |title=List of spacewalks |last=McDowell |first=Jonathan |author-link=Jonathan McDowell |date=September 12, 2024 |website=planet4589.org |access-date=September 12, 2024 }}

| launch_date = {{Start date text|10 September 2024, 09:23:49|timezone=yes}}{{nbsp}}UTC (5:23:49{{nbsp}}am{{nbsp}}EDT)

| launch_rocket = Falcon 9 Block 5 (B1083{{nbhyph}}4), Flight 372

| launch_site = Kennedy, LC{{nbhyph}}39A

| recovery_by = {{MV|Shannon}}

| landing_date = {{End date text|15 September 2024, 07:36:54|timezone=yes}}{{nbsp}}UTC (3:36:54{{nbsp}}am{{nbsp}}EDT){{cite web | url=https://polarisprogram.com/polaris-dawn-crew-returns-to-earth-achieving-major-objectives-during-their-five-day-mission/ | title=Polaris Dawn Crew Returns to Earth, Achieving Major Objectives During Their Five-Day Mission | date=15 September 2024 }}

| landing_site = Gulf of Mexico near Dry Tortugas ({{coords|25.1|N|83.0|W}})

| orbit_periapsis = {{cvt|190|-|192|km}}{{Cite tweet |number=1833509517839028397 |user=planet4589 |title=Polaris Dawn cataloged as object 61042, in a 195 x 1200 km x 51.7 deg orbit. |first=Jonathan |last=McDowell |author-link=Jonathan McDowell |date=10 September 2024 |access-date=10 September 2024}}

| orbit_apoapsis = {{Unbulleted list

| Launch: {{cvt|1200|km}}

| Day 1: {{cvt|1400|km}}

| Day 2–5: {{cvt|730|km}}

}}

| orbit_inclination = 51.7°

| orbit_period = 106 minutes

| apsis = gee

| insignia = Polaris Dawn mission patch.png

| insignia_caption = Mission patch

| crew_photo = Polaris Dawn crew.jpg

| crew_photo_caption = From left: Isaacman, Menon, Gillis and Poteet

| programme2 = Crew Dragon flights

| previous_mission2 = SpaceX Crew-8

| next_mission2 = SpaceX Crew-9

}}

Polaris Dawn was a private crewed spaceflight operated by SpaceX on behalf of Shift4 CEO Jared Isaacman, the first of three planned missions in the Polaris program. Launched 10 September 2024 as the 14th crewed orbital flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft, Isaacman and his crew of three — Scott Poteet, Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon — flew in an elliptic orbit that took them {{Convert|1400|km|mi nmi|sp=us}} away from Earth, the farthest anyone has been since NASA's Apollo program. They passed through parts of the Van Allen radiation belt to study the health effects of space radiation and spaceflight on the human body. Later in the mission, the crew performed the first commercial spacewalk.

The Polaris Dawn mission also marked several other milestones. Menon and Gillis flew further from Earth than any women before them and Gillis, at 30 years old, became the youngest person to date to participate in a spacewalk. During the spacewalk, a new record was set for the number of people (four) simultaneously exposed to the vacuum of space. The crew also contributed to breaking the record for the most people (19) simultaneously in orbit, set after the Soyuz MS-26 mission launched on 11 September along with the nine crew members of the International Space Station and the three crew members of China's Tiangong space station.

After a mission lasting nearly five days, the crew safely splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico on 15 September.

History

The Polaris program was announced by Jared Isaacman in February 2022, five months after the first all-private astronaut mission, Inspiration4, which raised more than $250 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital{{Cite web |date=2024-09-15 |title=SpaceX's Polaris Dawn crew returns to Earth after completing first private spacewalk |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/spacexs-polaris-dawn-crew-returns-to-earth-after-completing-first-private-spacewalk#:~:text=He%20paid%20an%20undisclosed%20sum,Jude%20Children's%20Research%20Hospital |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=PBS News |language=en-us}} and was also backed by Isaacman.{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/02/14/jared-isaacman-polaris-spacex-starship-inspiration4/ |first=Christian |last=Davenport |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=14 February 2022 |title=Jared Isaacman, who led the first all-private astronaut mission to orbit, has commissioned 3 more flights from SpaceX |access-date=20 November 2023 |archive-date=24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224031352/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/02/14/jared-isaacman-polaris-spacex-starship-inspiration4/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-polaris-dawn-space-mission-ambitious-exclusive |first=Elizabeth |last=Howell |website=Space.com |date=8 September 2022 |title=SpaceX's private Polaris Dawn space crew talks about their ambitious mission |access-date=20 November 2023 |archive-date=2 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002155609/https://www.space.com/spacex-polaris-dawn-space-mission-ambitious-exclusive |url-status=live }} The program is partnered with St. Jude for the three planned missions, for which the research hospital is the charity beneficiary. {{Cite web |title=Polaris Dawn - the first of three Polaris missions to advance human spaceflight |url=https://www.stjude.org/inspire/news/polaris-dawn.html |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=www.stjude.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Kluger |first=Jeffrey |date=2024-08-22 |title=The Polaris Dawn Mission Opens a New Chapter in Private Space Flight |url=https://time.com/7011070/polaris-dawn-mission-spacex-private-space-flight/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=TIME |language=en}}

Development of technologies necessary for the mission was part of the program, including extravehicular activity (EVA) spacesuits, intersatellite laser communication links between the Dragon spacecraft and the Starlink constellation, and accommodation for the lack of an airlock in the Dragon capsule.{{cite news |title=Polaris Dawn takes to the skies, setting the stage for a daring private spacewalk |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/09/bold-private-spaceflight-begins-early-tuesday-with-a-break-in-the-weather/ |last=Berger|first=Eric |work=Ars Technica |date=10 September 2024 |access-date=10 September 2024 }}{{cite news |title=Polaris Dawn rescheduled for April |url=https://spacenews.com/polaris-dawn-rescheduled-for-april/ |last=Foust |first=Jeff |work=SpaceNews |date=11 December 2023 |access-date=11 December 2023 |archive-date=1 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301013705/https://spacenews.com/polaris-dawn-rescheduled-for-april/ |url-status=live }}

Originally slated to fly in late 2022, the program suffered delays over the design of the EVA spacesuits and technical problems with SpaceX testing inter-satellite laser communication links. By October 2022, the launch had slipped to March 2023,{{cite web |url=https://www.space.com/polaris-dawn-facts-about-mission |first=Elizabeth |last=Howell |date=30 January 2023 |website=Space.com |title=Polaris Dawn: The trailblazing commercial mission of the Polaris Program |access-date=20 November 2023 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205124357/https://www.space.com/polaris-dawn-facts-about-mission |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/spacex-private-polaris-dawn-launch-2023 |first=Chris |last=Young |website=Interesting Engineering |date=19 October 2023 |title=SpaceX's private Polaris Dawn mission could launch by March 2023 |access-date=20 November 2023 |archive-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120213938/https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/spacex-private-polaris-dawn-launch-2023 |url-status=live }} and by February 2023, had slipped to no earlier than mid-2023.{{cite web |url=https://orlandosentinel.com/2023/02/23/set-for-2nd-spacex-flight-billionaire-isaacman-all-business-about-spacewalk-for-polaris-dawn-mission |first=Richard |last=Tribou |date=23 February 2023 |title=Set for 2nd SpaceX flight, billionaire Isaacman all business about spacewalk for Polaris Dawn mission |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |access-date=20 November 2023 |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901103740/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/02/23/set-for-2nd-spacex-flight-billionaire-isaacman-all-business-about-spacewalk-for-polaris-dawn-mission/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-polaris-dawn-summer-2023-launch-update |first=Robert |last=Lea |website=Space.com |date=23 February 2023 |title=SpaceX's private Polaris Dawn mission now targeting summer 2023 for launch |access-date=20 November 2023 |archive-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120213937/https://www.space.com/spacex-polaris-dawn-summer-2023-launch-update |url-status=live }} By mid-2023, the flight was delayed until 2024,{{cite web |url=https://spacenews.com/polaris-dawn-mission-likely-to-slip-to-2024 |first=Jeff |last=Foust |date=22 August 2023 |website=SpaceNews |title=Polaris Dawn mission likely to slip to 2024 |access-date=20 November 2023 |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901103743/https://spacenews.com/polaris-dawn-mission-likely-to-slip-to-2024/ |url-status=live }} with Isaacman confirming in December a launch date of April 2024. On 7 June, Isaacman announced that the launch was scheduled no earlier than 12 July 2024.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCd6hvmEJ2U |title=EXCLUSIVE: Polaris Dawn interview with Jared Isaacman |people=Ellie in Space |publisher=YouTube |date=7 June 2024 |access-date=14 June 2024 |archive-date=14 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614092244/https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=zDu0eLlEUVvred04&v=HCd6hvmEJ2U |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.space.com/32286-space-calendar.html |website=Space.com |date=11 June 2024 |title=Space calendar 2024 |access-date=14 June 2024 |archive-date=13 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613152618/https://www.space.com/32286-space-calendar.html |url-status=live }} Three weeks later, the Polaris program announced on its X account that the earliest launch date was 31 July 2024.{{cite news |last1=Howell |first1=Elizabeth |title=SpaceX targeting July 31 for launch of historic Polaris Dawn astronaut mission |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-polaris-dawn-astronaut-launch-july-31 |access-date=27 July 2024 |work=Space.com |date=3 July 2024 |archive-date=26 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726231048/https://www.space.com/spacex-polaris-dawn-astronaut-launch-july-31 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://newatlas.com/space/spacex-polaris-dawn-mission-launch/ |first=David |last=Szondy |website=New Atlas |date=3 July 2024 |title=SpaceX's first Polaris Dawn mission to launch after July 30 |access-date=4 July 2024 |archive-date=4 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704051907/https://newatlas.com/space/spacex-polaris-dawn-mission-launch/ |url-status=live }}

The mission was delayed again following the failure of a Falcon 9 rocket's upper stage on 12 July 2024. After SpaceX addressed the cause of the mishap, SpaceX's Dragon mission management director Sarah Walker announced in a 26 July news conference that Polaris Dawn would launch "in late summer" after the Crew-9 mission for NASA, which had been scheduled to launch no earlier than 18 August before its delay.{{cite news |last1=Wall |first1=Mike |date=26 July 2024 |title=SpaceX's historic Polaris Dawn astronaut mission delayed until mid-August |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-polaris-dawn-delay-august-2024 |access-date=27 July 2024 |work=Space.com |archive-date=26 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726230959/https://www.space.com/spacex-polaris-dawn-delay-august-2024 |url-status=live }} SpaceX then said that it was targeting a 26 August launch date on 7 August.{{cite web |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/08/08/with-starliner-up-in-the-air-spacex-moves-forward-with-billionaires-polaris-dawn-spaceflight/ |first=Richard |last=Tribou |website=Orlando Sentinel |date=8 August 2024 |title=With Starliner up in the air, SpaceX moves forward with billionaire's Polaris Dawn spaceflight |access-date=9 August 2024 |archive-date=9 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809014855/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/08/08/with-starliner-up-in-the-air-spacex-moves-forward-with-billionaires-polaris-dawn-spaceflight/ |url-status=live }} SpaceX pushed the launch date back a day to 27 August in order to allow "additional time for teams to complete preflight" checkouts.{{cite web |url=https://www.morningstar.com/news/marketwatch/20240822303/spacex-set-for-historic-polaris-dawn-launch-first-commercial-spacewalk |first=James |last=Rogers |website=Morningstar |date=August 22, 2024 |title=SpaceX set for historic Polaris Dawn launch, first commercial spacewalk |access-date=August 22, 2024 |archive-date=31 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831110006/https://www.morningstar.com/news/marketwatch/20240822303/spacex-set-for-historic-polaris-dawn-launch-first-commercial-spacewalk |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/spacex-polaris-dawn-mission-first-private-spacewalk-rcna167166 |first=Denise |last=Chow |date=August 22, 2024 |website=NBC News |title=SpaceX is set to launch an ambitious mission featuring the first civilian spacewalk |access-date=August 22, 2024 |archive-date=22 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822162153/https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/spacex-polaris-dawn-mission-first-private-spacewalk-rcna167166 |url-status=live }} The flight was further delayed by weather at the landing site and was scheduled for the early morning of September 6, 2024.{{cite news |title=Polaris Dawn mission set to launch early Friday morning after delays |url=https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/polaris-dawn-mission-set-launch-early-friday-morning-after-delays |access-date=4 September 2024 |work=Fox 35 Orlando |date=3 September 2024 |location=Orlando, Florida}}

A number of design changes were made to Dragon capsule Resilience before the launch. Several modifications were made to the interior of Crew Dragon Resilience, additional nitrogen and oxygen tanks were installed, a hatch with mechanical supports called the "skywalker" replaced the docking port, and the forward hatch was motorized.{{Cite AV media |url=https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1RDGlyDRBXmJL |title=Polaris Dawn Mission Overview Briefing |date=August 19, 2024 |time=12:00 |access-date=25 August 2024 |archive-date=20 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240820071337/https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1RDGlyDRBXmJL |url-status=live }}

Crew Dragon Resilience arrived at the horizontal integration facility at LC-39A on 21 August where it was integrated with Falcon 9 booster B1083 and a second stage.{{Cite tweet |number=1826287532146892878 |user=SpaceX |title=Shortly thereafter, Dragon arrived at our hangar at pad 39A ahead of Falcon 9's launch of Polaris Dawn |date=2024-08-21 |access-date=2024-08-25}} The transporter erector rolled out of the horizontal integration facility in the early morning of 24 August to transport the rocket up to the pad and erect it next to the tower.{{Cite tweet |number=1827326666542370929 |user=SpaceX |title=Falcon 9 and Dragon roll out to pad 39A for the @PolarisProgram 's Polaris Dawn mission to low-Earth orbit |date=2024-08-24 |access-date=2024-08-25}} The crews completed a dry dress rehearsal and static fire tests on 25 August.{{Cite tweet |number=1827663529543168152|user=SpaceX |title=Polaris Dawn and SpaceX completed a full rehearsal of launch day activities ahead of liftoff on Tuesday |date=2024-08-25|access-date=2024-08-25}}{{Cite tweet |number=1827667505600667924|user=SpaceX |title=Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete |date=2024-08-25|access-date=2024-08-25}} After a series of further delays—mostly related to capsule recovery weather conditions in the landing zones five days following launch—Polaris Dawn was launched on 10 September 2024.

Mission

= Technology =

SpaceX designed the EVA suits for this mission based on the intravehicular activity (IVA) suits typically worn during launch and landing. The EVA suits are designed to keep astronauts safe in the vacuum of space while also being comfortable and flexible enough for launch and landing, eliminating the need for separate IVA suits. Flame-resistant, stretching fabric and soft joints provide mobility, while boots are made from the same thermal material used on Falcon 9's interstage and Dragon's trunk.{{cite web |last=Dinner |first=Josh |date=July 19, 2024 |title=Polaris Dawn crew shows off new SpaceX spacesuits for 1st private spacewalk |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-polaris-dawn-eva-suit-acceptance-testing-photos |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=Space.com |archive-date=22 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822162535/https://www.space.com/spacex-polaris-dawn-eva-suit-acceptance-testing-photos |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Howell |first=Elizabeth |date=14 February 2022 |title=Meet the four private Polaris Dawn astronauts SpaceX will launch into orbit this year |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-polaris-dawn-private-astronauts-crew |access-date=18 February 2022 |website=Space.com |language=en |archive-date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306161917/https://www.space.com/spacex-polaris-dawn-private-astronauts-crew |url-status=live }} Compared to the IVA suits, thermal management has been improved and the helmet has received thermal insulation and an anti-fog treatment. A heads-up display was added to the helmet to provide real-time information on suit metrics during the spacewalk.{{Cite web |last=Dinner |first=Josh |date=6 May 2024 |title=SpaceX reveals new EVA suit for upcoming Polaris Dawn private spaceflight (video) |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-polaris-dawn-eva-spacesuit-reveal-video |access-date=7 May 2024 |website=Space.com |archive-date=9 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509182426/https://www.space.com/spacex-polaris-dawn-eva-spacesuit-reveal-video |url-status=live }} An umbilical provided life support for these suits, similar to early Gemini suits, as opposed to the self-contained EMUs used on the ISS.{{Cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=4 May 2024 |title=SpaceX reveals EVA suit design as Polaris Dawn mission approaches |url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-reveals-eva-suit-design-as-polaris-dawn-mission-approaches/ |access-date=7 May 2024 |website=SpaceNews |archive-date=31 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831110004/https://spacenews.com/spacex-reveals-eva-suit-design-as-polaris-dawn-mission-approaches/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Polaris Dawn |url=https://polarisprogram.com/dawn/ |access-date=7 May 2024 |website=Polaris Program |archive-date=28 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728135035/https://polarisprogram.com/dawn/ |url-status=live }}

This mission broke the record for the most people in the vacuum of space at once, set at three during Apollo 9 and later repeated just five more times on Apollo 15, 16, 17, Skylab 2, and STS-49. Due to the unique depressurization protocol, the crew conducted research on decompression sickness and spaceflight associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS).{{cite web |last=Lewis |first=Briley |date=2 July 2024 |title=SpaceX will attempt the first commercial spacewalk |url=https://www.popsci.com/science/spacex-polaris-dawn-spacewalk/ |access-date=4 July 2024 |website=Popular Science |archive-date=3 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703013935/https://www.popsci.com/science/spacex-polaris-dawn-spacewalk/ |url-status=live }}

To validate their procedures, SpaceX subjected Resilience to multiple cycles of venting and repressurization in a large vacuum chamber. The crew also spent two days in a chamber at the Johnson Space Center to validate their pre-breathing protocol and on another occasion also tested their EVA suits in full vacuum in the chamber.

The mission also saw the first crewed operational test of Dragon laser interlink communication via Starlink.{{cite news |last=Wall |first=Mike |date=13 September 2024 |title=SpaceX's private Polaris Dawn astronauts beam photos to Earth using Starlink satellites |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-polaris-dawn-astronauts-photos-starlink-internet |access-date=19 September 2024 |work=Space.com}} SpaceX hopes that the technology can decrease communication latency and increase data bandwidth for human spaceflight.{{Cite web |date=17 February 2022 |title=Starlink expanding, coming to Dragon capsule on Polaris Dawn, but NASA has concerns about the constellation |url=https://spaceexplored.com/2022/02/17/starlink-expanding-coming-to-dragon-capsule-on-polaris-dawn-but-nasa-has-concerns-about-the-constellation/ |access-date=18 February 2022 |website=Space Explored |language=en-US |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217211623/https://spaceexplored.com/2022/02/17/starlink-expanding-coming-to-dragon-capsule-on-polaris-dawn-but-nasa-has-concerns-about-the-constellation/ |url-status=live }}

= Events =

Within an hour of launch, the crew began a pre-breathing protocol to reduce nitrogen in their bodies and minimize the risk of decompression sickness during the planned spacewalk on day three. Over three days, the cabin pressure gradually decreased from {{Convert|14.5 to 8.6|psi|}} while oxygen levels increased.

During this first hour in space, the crew conducted thorough checks of the Dragon capsule for any launch-related damage. Afterward, the Draco thrusters fired, propelling them to their highest apogee of the mission, {{convert|1400|km|mi nmi|sp=us}} away from Earth, the highest orbit of the planet ever flown by a crewed spacecraft, breaking the record set by Gemini 11, and the farthest anyone has been from Earth since the 1972 Apollo 17 mission of NASA's Apollo program.{{Cite tweet |number=1833920976368841091|user=planet4589 |title=Following the first apogee boost, the mean elements had an apogee of 1395.6 km. The first apogee in the new orbit was at 0111:20 UTC, with an standard height of 1400.0 km (moment of maximum distance from geocenter); the max geoid height was 1408.3 km at around the same time. |first=Jonathan |last=McDowell |author-link=Jonathan McDowell |date=11 September 2024 |access-date=11 September 2024}}{{Cite tweet |number=1833922734012899389 |user=planet4589 |title=For comparison, the best data I have for Gemini 11 suggests an apogee of 1374.0 km (standard height) with a geoid height maxium of 1377.9 km. However this is not an SGP4 dataset and perturbations are not taken into account - could be 2 km off. Clear that Polaris Dawn was higher. |first=Jonathan |last=McDowell |author-link=Jonathan McDowell |date=September 11, 2024 |access-date=September 11, 2024}}{{cite news |date=9 May 2022 |title=Scott Poteet Discusses Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn Missions (Part 2) |url=https://www.americaspace.com/2022/05/09/scott-poteet-discusses-inspiration4-and-polaris-dawn-missions-part-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207204402/https://www.americaspace.com/2022/05/09/scott-poteet-discusses-inspiration4-and-polaris-dawn-missions-part-2/ |archive-date=7 December 2022 |access-date=10 May 2022 |work=AmericaSpace}} Because these earlier missions had all-male crews, Menon and Gillis broke a record, flying further from Earth than any women before them.{{Cite news |last=Chang |first=Kenneth |date=10 September 2024 |title=Polaris Dawn Astronauts Reach Record High Orbit Above Earth |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/10/science/polaris-dawn-spacex-orbit-astronauts.html |access-date=13 September 2024 |work=The New York Times}}

On flight day two, the Dragon's apogee was lowered to its "cruising orbit" of {{Convert|730|km|mi nmi|sp=us}} while the crew prepared their EVA suits and conducted experiments.{{Cite tweet |number=1833949905972511150|user=planet4589 |title=New Polaris Dawn TLE shows it in a 192 x 730 km orbit, ready for tomorrow's spacewalk |first=Jonathan |last=McDowell |author-link=Jonathan McDowell |date=11 September 2024 |access-date=11 September 2024}} On this day, the crew also contributed to breaking the record for the most people (19) simultaneously in space, set after the Soyuz MS-26 mission launched on 11 September along with the nine crew members of the International Space Station and the three crew members of China's Tiangong space station.{{cite web |date=2024-09-11 |title=NASA's oldest active astronaut launches on 'next flight' aboard Soyuz |url=http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-091124a-soyuz-ms-26-launch-space-station.html |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=CollectSpace}}

Flight day three was dedicated to the first-ever extravehicular activity (EVA) on a commercial spaceflight mission. After extensive preparations, all four crew members donned their EVA suits, which are pressurized with 100% oxygen at {{convert|5.1|psi}}. Since the Crew Dragon lacks an airlock, the entire capsule was depressurized during the EVA, exposing all crew members to the vacuum of space, though only two partially exited the spacecraft. Depressurization of the capsule took about 30 minutes. Isaacman went first, spending seven minutes and 56 seconds outside. Gillis went next, spending seven minutes and 15 seconds outside. From hatch open to hatch close the EVA took about 26 minutes and 40 seconds.{{Cite tweet |number= 1834191976746352680 |user=planet4589 |title= The hatch open/close time was about 26m 40s. Isaacman was outside hatch for 7 min 56m; Gillis for about 7m15s. |first=Jonathan |last=McDowell |author-link=Jonathan McDowell |date=12 September 2024 |access-date=12 September 2024}}{{cite news |date=12 September 2024 |title=First Private Spacewalk in SpaceX Capsule Achieves New Milestone |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/11/science/spacex-polaris-dawn-astronauts-spacewalk.html |access-date=12 September 2024 |work=The New York Times}} During the EVA, Isaacman and Gillis performed several tests of their suit mobility including trials of hand/body control, vertical movement, and using a foot restraint, only their lower legs were still inside the spacecraft. Gillis, at 30 years old, became the youngest person to date to participate in a spacewalk.{{cite news |title=Two private astronauts took a spacewalk Thursday morning—yes, it was historic |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/09/two-private-astronauts-took-a-spacewalk-thursday-morning-yes-it-was-historic/ |last=Berger|first=Eric |work=Ars Technica |date=12 September 2024 |access-date=12 September 2024}}

At the end of the final day on orbit, the crew jettisoned the Dragon's trunk module at 06:35{{nbsp}}UTC and carried out a seven minute deorbit burn at 06:41{{nbsp}}UTC.{{Cite web |title=Jonathan's Space Report - Latest Issue |url=https://planet4589.org/space/jsr/latest.html |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=planet4589.org}} The capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico near Florida's Dry Tortugas islands on 15 September 2024 at 07:36:54{{nbsp}}UTC (3:36:54{{nbsp}}am{{nbsp}}EDT, local time at the landing site).{{cite news |title=SpaceX Polaris Dawn crew returns home after history-making mission |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/15/science/spacex-polaris-dawn-splashdown-landing/index.html|work=CNN |date=15 September 2024 |access-date=17 September 2024}} The landing site was one of two new options SpaceX added for this mission as it planned for challenging weather conditions.{{Cite web |last=Davenport |first=Justin |date=2024-09-14 |title=Polaris Dawn returns home after landmark commercial spaceflight |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/09/polaris-dawn-splashdown/ |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=NASASpaceFlight.com |language=en-US}}

Crew

File:Polaris Dawn (7608895).jpg]]

{{Spaceflight crew

| terminology = Astronaut

| position1 = Commander

| crew1_up = Jared Isaacman

| flights1_up = Second

| position2 = Pilot

| crew2_up = Scott Poteet

| flights2_up = Only

| position3 = Mission specialist

| crew3_up = Sarah Gillis

| agency3_up = SpaceX

| flights3_up = Only

| position4 = Mission specialist
Medical officer

| crew4_up = Anna Menon

| agency4_up = SpaceX

| flights4_up = Only

}}

Isaacman, 41, headed the mission as Commander, with primary spacecraft operation duties. Retired Air Force fighter pilot Scott Poteet, 50, served as spacecraft pilot, assisting Isaacman with spacecraft operation duties. Completing the crew were SpaceX employees Sarah Gillis, 30, and Anna Menon, 38, as Mission Specialists. Gillis is the company's senior space operations engineer who leads crew training for private spaceflight missions, she joined Isaacman on the spacewalk. Menon is a lead space operations engineer and mission director for the company, who acted as onboard medical officer for the mission. She has six years of experience as a biomedical flight controller at NASA, where she oversaw International Space Station operations, including several spacewalks.{{Cite news |last=Roulette |first=Joey |last2=Doyle |first2=Gerry |date=2024-09-10 |title=SpaceX launches billionaire's private crew on milestone spacewalk mission |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/spacex-set-launch-billionaires-private-crew-breakthrough-spacewalk-mission-2024-09-10/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |work=Reuters}}

Launch

File:Polaris Dawn Spacewalk.jpg

To minimize the risk of micrometeorite impacts, SpaceX mission controllers had a flexible launch window for the Polaris Dawn mission, allowing them to select a time with minimal debris in the targeted orbit. The Dragon capsule was initially placed in an elliptic orbit with an apogee of {{convert|1200|km|sp=us}}, passing through the South Atlantic Anomaly at a low altitude of {{convert|190|km|sp=us}}. This exposed the crew to the equivalent radiation of three months on the International Space Station in just a few passes, enabling valuable research into the health effects of space radiation and spaceflight on the human body.{{cite press release |title=Polaris Dawn Selects 38 Science and Research Experiments to Advance Human Health and Space Exploration |date=24 October 2022 |publisher=PR Newswire |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/polaris-dawn-selects-38-science-and-research-experiments-to-advance-human-health-and-space-exploration-301656785.html |access-date=24 October 2022 |work=Polaris Dawn |archive-date=24 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024112323/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/polaris-dawn-selects-38-science-and-research-experiments-to-advance-human-health-and-space-exploration-301656785.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Sheetz|first=Michael |date=July 11, 2024 |title=Overview: Approaching Dawn |url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/overview-approaching-dawn-michael-sheetz-fp6pc/?trackingId=surhvWFiTsq3y5cXpzoJug%3D%3D |access-date=August 18, 2024 |work=CNBC's Investing in Space Newsletter |archive-date=19 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819051818/https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/overview-approaching-dawn-michael-sheetz-fp6pc/?trackingId=surhvWFiTsq3y5cXpzoJug%3D%3D |url-status=live }}

Polaris Dawn launched from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A on a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket.{{Cite news |last=Chang |first=Kenneth |date=7 August 2024 |title=NASA Says Boeing Starliner Astronauts May Fly Home on SpaceX in 2025 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/07/science/boeing-starliner-nasa-spacex.html |access-date=7 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=31 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831110004/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/07/science/boeing-starliner-nasa-spacex.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2024-08-22 |title=Polaris Dawn |url=https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=polarisdawn |access-date=2024-08-22 |website=SpaceX |archive-date=23 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823011807/https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=polarisdawn |url-status=live }} The first launch attempt on 27 August 2024 was scrubbed due to a ground-side helium leak.{{Cite tweet |number=1828225406996287814 |user=SpaceX |title=Teams are taking a closer look at a ground-side helium leak on the Quick Disconnect umbilical. Falcon and Dragon remain healthy and the crew continues to be ready for their multi-day mission to low-Earth orbit. Next launch opportunity is no earlier than Wednesday, August 28 |date=2024-08-26 |access-date=2024-08-26}} The second launch attempt on 28 August was scrubbed due to poor predicted weather during the recovery period five days after launch. Because the mission would not rendezvous with the International Space Station and had limited life support consumables, the capsule had to be able to splash down as scheduled, which made favorable weather conditions a must.{{Cite tweet |last=Isaacman |first=Jared |author-link=Jared Isaacman |number=1828618387972317557 |user=rookisaacman |title= Our launch criteria are heavily constrained by forecasted splashdown weather conditions. With no ISS rendezvous and limited life support consumables, we must be absolutely sure of reentry weather before launching. As of now, conditions are not favorable tonight or tomorrow, so we'll assess day by day. As Elon mentioned, Polaris Dawn is a challenging mission with critical objectives, so we'll wait for the best opportunity to ensure success. 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. Alongside @SpaceX, we'll do our best to keep you updated. |date=2024-08-27 |access-date=2024-08-27}} The launch was further delayed because of poor weather causing a lack of favorable launch and return conditions.{{Cite tweet |number=1831102201009168435 |user=rookisaacman |title=People jump on NOTAMs that are filed, but really, that is about preserving the option should the weather cooperate. Recommend following the @SpaceX and @PolarisProgram accounts for official updates. Of which, we are still waiting for that good wx window. |first=Jared |last=Isaacman |author-link=Jared Isaacman |date=2024-09-03 |access-date=2024-09-04}}

{{As of|2024|9|8}}, SpaceX said it was targeting no earlier than (NET) 10 September for launch, with weather conditions being 40% favorable for liftoff and splashdown.{{cite web |last1=Baylor |first1=Michael |title=Upcoming Launches: SpaceX |url=https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/?search=spacex |access-date=16 August 2024 |website=Next Spaceflight}}{{Cite tweet |number=1832960331737653692 |user=SpaceX |title=Targeting no earlier than Tuesday, September 10 for Falcon 9's launch of the Polaris Dawn mission. Weather is currently 40% favorable for liftoff, and conditions at the possible splashdown sites for Dragon's return to Earth remain a watch item |date=2024-09-08 |access-date=2024-09-08}} Polaris Dawn successfully launched on 10 September 2024 at 09:23:49{{nbsp}}UTC (5:23:49{{nbsp}}am{{nbsp}}EDT, local time at the launch site).{{ cite news |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/09/polaris-dawn/#more-101623 |title=SpaceX launches historic Polaris Dawn mission |last=Rosenstein|first=Sawyer |work=NASASpaceFlight |date=10 September 2024 |access-date=10 September 2024 }}

= Launch attempt summary =

Note: times are local to the launch site (Eastern Daylight Time).

{{LaunchAttempt

| date1 = 2024-08-27 3:38

| result1 = Scrubbed

| reason1 = Technical

| decision_date1 = 2024-08-26 19:17

| decision_clock1 = −08:21:00

| weathergo1 = 80{{Cite web |date=26 August 2024 |title=Falcon 9 Polaris Dawn Forecast |url=https://www.patrick.spaceforce.mil/Portals/14/Weather/Falcon%209%20Polaris%20Dawn%20L-1%20Forecast%20-%2027%20Aug%20Launch.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827004551/https://www.patrick.spaceforce.mil/Portals/14/Weather/Falcon%209%20Polaris%20Dawn%20L-1%20Forecast%20-%2027%20Aug%20Launch.pdf |archive-date=2024-08-27 |access-date=26 August 2024 |website=45th Weather Squadron}}

| notes1 = Ground-side helium leak.

| date2 = 2024-08-28 3:38

| result2 = Scrubbed

| weathergo2 = 85{{Cite web |date=27 August 2024 |title=Falcon 9 Polaris Dawn Forecast |url=https://www.patrick.spaceforce.mil/Portals/14/Weather/Falcon%209%20Polaris%20Dawn%20L-1%20Forecast%20-%2028%20Aug%20Launch.pdf?ver=TnyuW8_AJscFsIQFyvtYIQ%3d%3d |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827225305/https://www.patrick.spaceforce.mil/Portals/14/Weather/Falcon%209%20Polaris%20Dawn%20L-1%20Forecast%20-%2028%20Aug%20Launch.pdf?ver=TnyuW8_AJscFsIQFyvtYIQ%3d%3d |archive-date=2024-08-27 |access-date=27 August 2024 |website=45th Weather Squadron}}

| reason2 = Weather

| decision_date2 = 2024-08-27 22:11

| decision_clock2 = −05:27:00

| notes2 = Poor predicted weather during the recovery period.

| date3 = 2024-09-10 05:23:49

| result3 = Success

| weathergo3 = 40{{Cite web |date=2024-09-09 |title=Falcon 9 Polaris Dawn Forecast |url=https://www.patrick.spaceforce.mil/Portals/14/Weather/Falcon%209%20Polaris%20Dawn%20L-1%20Forecast%20-%2010%20Sep%20Launch.pdf?ver=MPY6YQalCNuioyBUROkBhA%3d%3d |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910000346/https://www.patrick.spaceforce.mil/Portals/14/Weather/Falcon%209%20Polaris%20Dawn%20L-1%20Forecast%20-%2010%20Sep%20Launch.pdf?ver=MPY6YQalCNuioyBUROkBhA%3D%3D |archive-date=2024-09-10 |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=45th Weather Squadron}}

| reason3 =

| decision_date3 =

| decision_clock3 =

| notes3 = Launched initially scheduled for 3:38 am, delayed to second opportunity for better weather.

}}