SpaceX Polaris Dawn Mission Paves the Way for First Commercial Spacewalk
When SpaceX launches its Polaris Dawn mission this month, it will fly higher than any manned mission since Apollo — but there’s more to the story.
By plane, train or car, space enthusiasts will be heading to Brevard to witness history Tuesday morning. Although they may not know the Polaris Dawn crew personally, many space enthusiasts believe this launch is a momentous event they should be there for — a moment in space history.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, billionaire Jared Isaacman, pilot Scott “Kid” Poteet, and SpaceX employees Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon set off on their daring journey to fly higher than American astronauts have gone since the end of the Apollo program and conduct the first-ever civilian spacewalk. They will take the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft into orbit, launch it atop a Falcon 9 rocket, and while they’re in space, they have a to-do list. Among the nearly 40 research objectives and health missions that will be carried out during the six-day mission.
When is the next launch in Florida? Is there a launch today? SpaceX and NASA’s upcoming launch schedule from Florida
Florida Today reached out to individuals traveling to Brevard to watch the launch — and each said the Inspiration4 mission, which Isaacman also piloted in 2021, has made them excited about the future of the private space industry.
Coming to Polaris Dawn Launch Day
Keith Yohn will travel from Arkansas with his wife and three daughters.
“The launch of Inspiration4 left a lasting impression on me, and I hope my family finds the launch of Polaris Dawn equally inspiring,” Yohn told FLORIDA TODAY via X (formerly Twitter). “For us, this is more than just a trip; it’s an opportunity to experience the thrill of space exploration as a family and be part of something much bigger than ourselves.”
Inspiration4’s mission raised funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, This mission will do the same.
At a previous charity event at St. Jude, Yohn won a fighter jet ride with the Polaris program team. In the days leading up to Tuesday’s launch, he’ll fly in an L-39 Albatross with John “Slick” Baum, Polaris’ director of philanthropy. Yohn may also have the chance to fly a Falcon 9 rocket on the launch pad.
“This whole experience is a dream come true and a testament to how the frontiers of space exploration are expanding for all of us,” Yohn said.
Tim Gribbentrog flies from Wausau, Wisconsin, to watch the launch of the Polaris Dawn spacecraft.
“While most civilians go to space to see the sights, have an adventure, or have a specific experience, Jared and SpaceX have come together to accelerate the development of technology to commercialize space for the masses and bring Mars closer than ever before,” Gribbentrog told FLORIDA TODAY on X. “The progress made on Polaris missions will bring many of our dreams of living and working in space closer to reality.”
Susie Bennett of Sarasota told Florida Today she will be making the trip with her family to see the Polaris Dawn launch.
“We’ve had so many launches now that it’s hard to remember that we still have so many ‘firsts,’” Bennett said on X. “I remember when the space shuttle program ended when I was a kid; it’s amazing to see where we are today.”
“SpaceX has made incredible strides at this rapid pace, and the Polaris Dawn mission will provide valuable data that will challenge what we thought was possible for space exploration,” Bennett wrote.
Brooke Edwards is a space reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at [email protected] Or on X: @Brook of stars.
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