Tallahassee: The highly anticipated launch of SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission, which was set to carry four private citizens into space, has been postponed due to a technical issue. Originally scheduled for an early Tuesday liftoff from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the mission was delayed after a helium leak was detected in the Quick Disconnect umbilical—a critical component of the ground support system.
SpaceX announced that the launch is now targeted for no earlier than Wednesday, August 28, while teams work to resolve the helium issue. Despite the setback, SpaceX assured that the Falcon 9 rocket and the Dragon spacecraft remain in excellent condition, and the crew is fully prepared for the mission to low-Earth orbit. The situation bears resemblance to a similar helium leak problem encountered by the spacecraft that carried astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station (ISS). Following that incident, NASA opted to rely on SpaceX’s Dragon Crew for the return of Williams and Wilmore in February 2025.
The next launch window for Polaris Dawn is scheduled for Wednesday at 3:38 am ET, with two additional opportunities at 5:23 am and 7:09 am ET. If necessary, further backup windows are available on Thursday, August 29.
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Mission Highlights
Polaris Dawn aims to set a new benchmark in space exploration by including the first spacewalk by non-professional astronauts. The crew of four consists of billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Scott “Kidd” Poteet, and SpaceX engineers Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. The mission will attempt to reach the highest Earth orbit since NASA’s Apollo program while also conducting 36 research experiments, including testing Starlink’s laser-based communication technology in space.
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Crew and Goals
The Polaris Dawn crew brings together a wide range of expertise to push the boundaries of human space exploration. Mission Commander Jared Isaacman, who previously led the historic Inspiration4 mission, will once again lead this pioneering journey. For Mission Pilot Scott Poteet, Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, and Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Anna Menon, this will be their first spaceflight. Notably, Gillis and Menon will be the first SpaceX employees to participate in a human spaceflight mission, contributing valuable insights for future endeavors as SpaceX continues to push forward its vision of making life multi-planetary.
