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SpaceX's Polaris Dawn to Launch First-Ever Commercial Spacewalk on August 27

Aug 26, 2024, 01:49 PM

SpaceX is set to launch the Polaris Dawn mission, which will include the first-ever commercial spacewalk conducted by private citizens. Scheduled for liftoff on August 27 at 3:38 a.m. ET from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A, the mission will be led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, founder of Shift4. The crew will attempt to reach the highest Earth orbit since the Apollo program, aiming for a record altitude of 870 miles. The mission will also test new spacesuits and communication technology via Starlink. The crew includes Anna Menon, Scott Poteet, Sarah Gillis, and Jared Isaacman. The mission, set to last five days, is part of a series of three planned missions under the Polaris Program. The launch will utilize a Falcon 9 rocket.