Polaris dawn mission delay: SpaceX faces challenging weather conditions

SpaceX is experiencing a challenging week. It has been announced that the Polaris Dawn mission, which includes the first commercial spacewalk, has been postponed. We understand that a launch may not be possible in the near future.

Due to unfavourable weather conditions at the planned landing site of the Crew Dragon capsule, SpaceX announced on Wednesday, 28 August, the rescheduling of the Polaris Dawn mission. The mission's main highlight is the planned first-ever commercial spacewalk.

Both on Wednesday and Thursday, initiating the mission will not be possible. Mission participant Jared Isaacman shared the information about the delay on platform X. At this stage. No new launch date has been indicated.

The initially planned launch of the mission from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida was set for Monday, 26 August. Due to a technical failure, the launch had to be postponed.

A key point of the five-day mission is a 20-minute spacewalk by a single mission participant. Until now, such spacewalks were reserved exclusively for NASA astronauts, with a history dating back to 1965 and the Gemini capsule mission, during which an astronaut, secured by a spacesuit and tethered to the spacecraft, ventured into open space for the first time.

The Polaris Dawn mission team consists of Jared Isaacman as the mission commander and financier, who has previously experienced space travel, retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Scott Poteet, and two SpaceX representatives – engineer Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, who serves as the medical officer. This historic commercial spacewalk signifies groundbreaking changes in travel beyond our planet, with hopes of further opening space for future explorers.

SpaceX, Elon Musk's company, focuses on numerous projects related to space exploration. Its main goal is to reduce the costs of space travel and to commercialise it. Its well-known rockets include the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy. Additionally, SpaceX is developing the Starlink programme, which aims to provide satellite internet connectivity worldwide.