SpaceX has fulfilled its initial part in making history with Polaris Dawn, as it successfully launched the Crew Dragon spacecraft to orbit, aboard its first-stage rocket, Falcon 9. This marks the start of the upcoming historic event that would be performed by the four civilian astronauts from Polaris Dawn which would soon go on a spacewalk from a farther point in space compared to the ISS.
It follows the recent conclusion of Falcon 9's issues after its mishap, with SpaceX marking another milestone with its numerous launches in a span of two weeks since it was permitted by the FAA.
SpaceX Polaris Dawn Mission Sees Success in Launch to Orbit
SpaceX/X
Earlier today, SpaceX saw success in launching the Polaris Dawn mission aboard the Falcon 9 reusable rocket, toward a point in Earth's orbit.
It was later shared by SpaceX that Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon already separated in orbit, detaching from the second stage which have made its way back to the planet.
SpaceX CEO and founder, Elon Musk, shared a video of this iconic separation, showing how the Crew Dragon went on its way to bring the Polaris Dawn mission to its target location in space. According to Musk, Polaris Dawn would head to an altitude that is three times farther compared to the International Space Station's current position.
The @PolarisProgram astronaut mission is headed for an altitude 3 times higher than the Space Station, the furthest that humans have been from Earth in over half a century! pic.twitter.com/lYgsA5vMGk
Here's How to Keep Track of Polaris Dawn's Mission
Space fans may keep track of the Polaris Dawn mission via SpaceX's tracker that follows Dragon, providing real-time updates on its journey and trajectory. This tracker would help in keeping tabs on Dragon's venture towards this 'farthest' point that it will go to before the Polaris crew conducts its much-awaited spacewalk.
Furthermore, users may get the latest updates from SpaceX and Polaris' official X accounts.
According to SpaceX, the Dragon will undergo a two-day pre-breathe process that would help prepare the astronauts before the spacewalk that is expected by Thursday, September 12.
Polaris Dawn: What Makes it a Historical Feat?
Jared Isaacman's Polaris Dawn has since aspired to reach a farther point in space compared to his Inspiration4 mission which was the first to carve history in expanding commercial spaceflight. Since 2022, Polaris and SpaceX have prepared for this specific feat, with civilian astronauts trained to conduct a spacewalk farther than the International Space Station.
It is also important to note that SpaceX's EVA suits also join the Polaris mission as the official gear to be used for the upcoming commercial spacewalk of the crew. This partnership between SpaceX and Polaris will also expand more on how space and spaceflight affect the human body, and it would be necessary data in future cosmic explorations.
Polaris may not yet be at its final point in this mission, but it is on track toward this feat after a significant launch fulfilled by SpaceX. There is a lot more to learn and discover in this mission, with SpaceX's updates and tracking sharing its progression, heading to this first commercial spacewalk in history.
