SpaceX postponed the launch of the Polaris Dawn mission due to unfavorable weather conditions in Florida

SpaceX has postponed the launch of its Polaris Dawn mission due to unfavorable weather conditions in Florida (REUTERS/Joe Skipper)

SpaceX announced on Tuesday the postponement of the launch of the mission Polaris Dawna pioneering orbital expedition with an all-civilian crew, due to “forecast unfavorable weather conditions” in the launch area.

The company, led by Elon Muskreported the decision through the social network X, less than 24 hours before the scheduled launch from the Kennedy Space Centerin Florida.

The launch of Polaris Dawn The launch was scheduled for a four-hour window starting at 03:38 local time (07:38 GMT) on Wednesday. However, SpaceX was forced to postpone the event due to adverse weather conditions in the area. This is the second postponement of the mission, after a previous attempt was called off due to a helium leak on the line connecting the launch tower to the rocket Falcon 9.

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The Polaris Dawn mission It is organized by the American billionaire Jared Isaacmanwho also led the program Inspiration4 in September 2021, the first orbital mission manned entirely by civilians. On this occasion, the objective of Polaris Dawn is to reach a maximum altitude of 1,400 kilometers, the farthest for a manned mission since the historic Apollo missions, and to carry out the first spacewalk without government support in history.

The company, led by Elon Musk, announced the decision via social network X, less than 24 hours before the planned takeoff from the Kennedy Space Center.

Isaacman, founder of the technology company Shift4 Paymentswill be in charge of a team of three people. He will be accompanied by Scott Poteetretired U.S. Air Force pilot and lieutenant colonel; Sarah Gillisa SpaceX space operations specialist engineer; and Anna Menona physician and space operations engineer at the same company.

Menon expressed her excitement about the mission, saying: “I spent years trying to put myself in the shoes of astronauts in space, and I am looking forward to experiencing it for myself.”

The mission Polaris Dawn It is the first of a total of three expeditions planned under the program Polarisa collaboration between Isaacman and SpaceX. Although Isaacman has not revealed the exact investment in the project, it is estimated that he paid close to $200 million for the mission Inspiration4This program seeks to expand the boundaries of civil spaceflight and contribute to the advancement of commercial space exploration.

During its first day in space, the capsule Dragon SpaceX will reach the radiation belt Van Allena region laden with high-energy particles that could pose health risks if exposed for long periods. The spacewalk, scheduled for the third day of the mission, will be one of the highlights. The astronauts will wear state-of-the-art EVA spacesuits, designed by SpaceX to improve mobility and safety in space. Each crew member will spend 15 to 20 minutes outside the ship, at an altitude of 700 kilometers above Earth.

The Polaris Dawn mission is the first of a total of three planned expeditions under the Polaris program, a collaboration between Isaacman and SpaceX.

In addition to the spacewalk, the crew of Polaris Dawn will carry out a series of scientific tests and experiments. These include laser satellite communication tests between the ship and the network. Starlinkwhich features more than 6,000 SpaceX internet satellites, with the goal of improving the speed and reliability of communications on future space missions. Nearly 40 scientific experiments will also be conducted, including tests of contact lenses equipped with microelectronics to monitor changes in eye shape and pressure during spaceflight.

The mission’s return is scheduled for the sixth day, with a splashdown off the coast of Florida. It is expected that Polaris Dawn not only expand the boundaries of private space exploration, but also mark a milestone in the history of civilian spaceflight, opening up new possibilities for future commercial and scientific missions.

(With information from AFP)

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