Polaris Dawn Mission to Launch Wednesday After Delays
The Polaris Dawn mission is set to launch on Wednesday from Kennedy Space Center after several delays, with a backup date on Thursday, according to the FAA. The mission, which will take four civilian astronauts to extreme orbital altitudes, was originally planned for August 26 but faced setbacks due to a helium leak and poor weather conditions.
SpaceX was temporarily grounded after a Starlink booster tipped over and caught fire, prompting an FAA investigation. The FAA has since cleared SpaceX for flights, but the investigation continues. Polaris Dawn is part of the Polaris program and will feature the first commercial spacewalk, with astronauts testing new EVA suits designed for future missions to the Moon and Mars.