SpaceX is preparing to launch billionaire Jared Isaacman aboard a Falcon 9 rocket in the next few weeks for the first ever private spacewalk mission called Polaris Dawn.
The launch date has been rescheduled several times, most recently to no earlier than August 19 due to another SpaceX rocket explosion in July and traffic at the International Space Station.
Isaacman previously took a private spaceflight aboard a Dragon capsule in 2021. For Polaris Dawn, he will go farther into Earth orbit than any other Dragon mission to conduct the first private spacewalk.
While not docking with the ISS, the mission aims to push the boundaries of private space exploration. However, multiple delays reflect the challenges of scheduling ambitious commercial spaceflight around NASA activities on the station.
If successful, Polaris Dawn will be a landmark in terms of private individuals conducting activities usually reserved for government astronauts, signaling the growing role of commercial space ventures.
Source: Futurism
