SpaceX Launches Historic Polaris Dawn Mission as Civilian Crew Looks to Attempt First-Ever Private Spacewalk

David Chiu, Dave Quinn
·4-min read
SpaceX Launches Historic Polaris Dawn Mission as Civilian Crew Looks to Attempt First-Ever Private Spacewalk

Lift off at official came 5:23 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 10, from Cape Canaveral, Fla.

<p>CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty</p> the Polaris Dawn Mission lifts off on Sept. 10, 2024

CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty

the Polaris Dawn Mission lifts off on Sept. 10, 2024

The trailblazing Polaris Dawn mission has officially taken flight!

Space X’s Falcon 9 rocket carrying a four-person civilian crew, who will attempt the first-ever commercial astronaut spacewalk and carry out numerous experiments, lifted off at 5:23 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 10, from Cape Canaveral, Fla.

It was a launch that came two weeks behind schedule.

Originally set to lift off on Monday, Aug. 26, the flight was first delayed 24 hours because of ground launch processing issues. Another 24-hour delay was ordered Tuesday, Aug. 27, due to a helium leak discovered by engineers in a launch pad umbilical connected to the rocket's engines. Further delays were caused by unfavorable weather conditions.

But on Tuesday, the weather cooperated and the historic mission finally took off, roaring off the launch pad with 1.7 lbs. of thrust as cameras captured the action. Video was livestreamed on SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).

“As you gaze towards the North Star, remember that your courage lights the path for future explorers," ground controllers led by SpaceX launch director Frank Messina said. "We trust your skills, your bravery, and your teamwork to carry out the mission that lies ahead. ...Know that the entire team back here is with you every step, watching, supporting and cheering you on... We’re sending you hugs from the ground."

After boosting out of the thick of the atmosphere, Falcon 9's first stage separated and landed on the Just Read the Instructions doneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. The second stage moved forward to orbit,

<p>AP Photo/John Raoux</p> (L-R) mission specialist Anna Menon, pilot Scott Poteet, commander Jared Isaacman and mission specialist Sarah Gillis

AP Photo/John Raoux

(L-R) mission specialist Anna Menon, pilot Scott Poteet, commander Jared Isaacman and mission specialist Sarah Gillis

The crew for the commercial space mission consists of astronauts Jared Isaacman, a billionaire who was part of the first civilian astronaut crew to orbit Earth back in 2021, Scott "Kidd" Poteet, Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. The crew aims to fly deeper into the cosmos (870 miles) than any other flight since the Gemini 11 launched in 1966.

Among the crew's objectives during its five-day mission is to attempt the first-ever all-civilian spacewalk outside of the craft; conduct over 40 experiments, including tests concerning human health on Earth and during upcoming long-durations spaceflights; and test Starlink laser-based communications in space.

<p>CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty</p> The Polaris Dawn Mission lifts off on Sept. 10, 2024

CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty

The Polaris Dawn Mission lifts off on Sept. 10, 2024

“This Dragon mission will take advantage of Falcon 9 and Dragon’s maximum performance, flying higher than any Dragon mission to date and endeavoring to reach the highest Earth orbit ever flown,” according to Polaris Dawn’s website. "Orbiting through portions of the Van Allen radiation belt, Polaris Dawn will conduct research with the aim of better understanding the effects of spaceflight and space radiation on human health."

Additionally, Menon, 38, will also read her book, Kisses from Space, during the flight to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Related: Inspiration4 Reveal They Felt the 'Overview Effect' in Space — What to Know About the Phenomenon

<p>CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty</p> The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket ahead of the launch of the Polaris Dawn Mission

CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket ahead of the launch of the Polaris Dawn Mission

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Isaacman, 41, the billionaire founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments, funded the flight and will serve as mission commander. He previously commanded the SpaceX flight Inspiration4, the world’s first all-civilian mission to space, which also generated more than $240 million for St. Jude, in September 2021. 

“Inspiration4 and now the Polaris program missions are very small steps in the direction of opening this last great frontier," Isaacman previously told PEOPLE before the launch. "There is so much we stand to learn ... The answers are out there and so much more. We just need to get out there and explore. Who knows what we may find.”

As the mission’s pilot, Poteet, 50, will stay in the capsule alongside Isaacman during the spacewalk — but all four crew members will have an opportunity to experience the void of space. 

Related: Billionaire Jared Isaacman Made a Video for His Kids in Case SpaceX Mission Didn't Go as Planned

<p>Polaris Program / John Kraus</p> Anna Menon and crew on Zero-gravity research flight in October 2022

Polaris Program / John Kraus

Anna Menon and crew on Zero-gravity research flight in October 2022

Related: Michelle Obama, Tom Cruise and Floating M&Ms: Inspiration4 Relive 'Amazing' SpaceX Journey

The Polaris Dawn is one of three SpaceX fights that Isaacman purchased in 2022 following the Inspiration4 trip, Fox Business reported.

At the time, he called it "an important step in advancing human space exploration while helping to solve problems through the use of innovative technology here on Earth."

Polaris Dawn astronaut Menon previously told PEOPLE that the mission was a stepping stone, saying, “It’s helping to build technologies that will get humans closer to Mars and beyond.”

Added Gillis, "We hope to inspire future generations to dream bigger and reach for the stars.”

Fans can follow the trajectory of the SpaceX mission on the company's official website.

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Read the original article on People.

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