SpaceX postpones Polaris Dawn launch due to adverse weather conditions in Florida

SpaceX And announced today, Tuesday, the postponement of the mission launch. Polaris Dawna pioneering orbital flight with an all-civilian crew, was cancelled due to “forecasted unfavorable weather conditions” in the lift-off area.

The company you run Elon MuskThe decision was reported via the social network. Kennedy Space Centerin Florida.

release Polaris Dawn It was scheduled to take place over four hours starting at 03:38 local time (07:38 GMT) on Wednesday. However, SpaceX was forced to postpone the event due to bad weather conditions in the area. This is the second postponement of the mission, after a previous attempt was suspended due to a helium leak On the line connecting the launch tower to the missile Falcon 9.

Polaris Dawn Mission Organized by American billionaire Jared Isaacmanwho also led the program. Inspiration4 In September 2021, the first fully manned orbital mission with civilians. On this occasion, the goal Polaris Dawn The mission is to reach a maximum altitude of 1,400 kilometers, the farthest altitude for a manned mission since the historic Apollo missions, and to perform the first spacewalk without government support in history.

Isaacman, founder of the technology company Shift4 PaymentsHe will be in charge of a team of three people. They will accompany him. Scott Poteetretired United States Air Force pilot and lieutenant colonel; Sarah GilliesSpaceX Space Operations Engineer; and Anna Menona physician and aerospace operations engineer at the same company.

“I’ve spent years trying to put myself in the shoes of astronauts in space, and I’m looking forward to experiencing it myself,” Menon said.

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

During its first day in space, the capsule The Dragon From SpaceX will reach the radiation belt Van AllenIt’s an area loaded with high-energy particles that can pose health risks if exposed to them for long periods. A highlight will be the spacewalk, scheduled for the third day of the mission. The astronauts will wear new EVA spacesuits designed by SpaceX to improve mobility and safety in space. Each crew member will spend 15 to 20 minutes outside the ship, 700 kilometers above Earth.

In addition to spacewalking, the crew Polaris Dawn A series of scientific tests and experiments will be conducted. Among them, laser satellite communication tests between the ship and the network stand out. com.starlinkIt has more than 6,000 SpaceX internet satellites, with the aim of improving the speed and reliability of communications on future space missions. It will also conduct nearly 40 scientific experiments, including testing contact lenses equipped with microelectronics to monitor changes in eye shape and pressure during spaceflight.

The mission is scheduled to return on the sixth day, with a landing off the coast of FloridaIt is expected. Polaris Dawn Not only does it push the boundaries of private space exploration, it also represents a milestone in the history of civilian spaceflight, opening up new possibilities for future commercial and scientific missions.

(With information from AFP)