Elon Musk‘s SpaceX has announced a delay in the launch of the Polaris Dawn mission, which will feature the first private spacewalk. The delay is attributed to SpaceX’s focus on the upcoming Crew-9 astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS) for NASA, scheduled for August 18. Polaris Dawn, funded by billionaire Jared Isaacman, is now expected to launch in August, following the Crew-9 mission. The mission, which has faced delays since its initial 2022 launch date, will include a crew of four, including retired Air Force lieutenant colonel Scott Poteet and SpaceX engineers Sarah Gills and Anna Menon.
5 Major Key Points
- Mission Delay: The Polaris Dawn mission, which includes the first private spacewalk, has been postponed to August.
- Focus on Crew-9: SpaceX is prioritizing the Crew-9 mission to the ISS for NASA, scheduled to launch by August 18.
- Funding and Crew: Polaris Dawn is funded by billionaire Jared Isaacman and will have a crew of four members.
- Previous Delays: The mission has faced multiple delays since its initial planned launch in 2022.
- SpaceX’s Statement: SpaceX’s director of Dragon mission management, Sarah Walker, emphasized the company’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations to NASA before launching Polaris Dawn.
