SpaceX is set to make history again when the world's second all-civilian space mission takes off on August 26 from a Florida spaceport.
Commanded by billionaire Jared Isaacman, the Polaris Dawn mission will push the boundaries of private space travel with the first civilian spacewalk.
US Air Force Lt Col Scott Poteet and SpaceX engineers Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon will also be on board when the spacecraft takes off on a Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule.
Mr Isaacman, chief executive of payment-processing company Shift4, is organising the trip with SpaceX through his self-funded Polaris Programme.
It involves two other missions, the last being the first human space flight on SpaceX's deep-space rocket Starship.
In 2021, Mr Isaacman funded Inspiration4, the world's first private space flight, in which he and three others flew around the Earth for three days.
The flight helped him prepare for more daring missions under the Polaris Programme, with this month's set to achieve several milestones in space travel.
Reaching new heights
The mission will involve the Dragon capsule flying about 700km above Earth – taking the crew further than any humans since the Apollo era, which ended in 1972.
This altitude would surpass previous SpaceX missions and offer an opportunity to study the effects of space travel at such heights.
It will demonstrate Dragon’s capabilities and it is hoped crucial data can be gathered for future missions involving deeper space exploration, including potential lunar missions.
First private spacewalk
Mr Isaacman and Ms Gillis are expected to walk in space for about two hours, entering the history books as the first civilians to achieve the feat.
SpaceX has developed a new spacesuit for the walk, designed to improve flexibility and mobility.
It includes a high-tech helmet and enhanced thermal management systems to maintain astronauts' comfort in space.
Testing Starlink in space
The mission will also test SpaceX’s Starlink communications system in space for the first time.
Currently, the Starlink fleet is used to provide high-speed internet access to remote and underserved areas worldwide.
It is hoped the test during the Polaris Dawn mission will demonstrate how well the laser connection is between Starlink satellites and the Dragon capsule.
It could enhance data transmission speeds and reliability, and is crucial for maintaining high-speed communication networks in space.
These are vital for the success of future long-duration missions.
Looking ahead
Polaris Dawn has been delayed several times – most recently the planned launch on July 31 – due to scheduling conflicts and the complexity of the mission.
SpaceX plans to launch Polaris II in 2025-26.
The third Polaris mission is scheduled to features the first crewed flight of the SpaceX Starship but the timetable is uncertain, as the rocket has yet to start commercial operations.
