SpaceX has postponed the launch of its four-person Polaris Dawn mission by at least a day due to a helium leak in ground equipment at Kennedy Space Center. The delay comes just hours before the scheduled liftoff of the Crew Dragon capsule.
The helium leak prompted SpaceX teams to take a closer look at the ground-side equipment to ensure the safety and success of the mission. Despite the setback, the company confirmed that both the Falcon 9 booster and the Dragon capsule remain healthy, and the crew is prepared for their multi-day mission in low Earth orbit.
Originally set to launch on Tuesday, the new target for liftoff is now 3:38 a.m. local time (0738 GMT) on Wednesday. A key highlight of the five-day mission is the planned private spacewalk, which is set to occur two days after launch. This 20-minute spacewalk will take place approximately 700 kilometers from Earth and marks the first private spacewalk in history.
The mission’s crew includes billionaire Jared Isaacman, who founded the electronic payment company Shift4 and has funded the mission, as well as mission pilot Scott Poteet, retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, and SpaceX senior engineers Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. It is estimated that the mission costs exceed $100 million.
During the spacewalk, Polaris Dawn’s crew will test SpaceX’s new slimline spacesuits. Out of the four crew members, only Isaacman and Poteet will exit the spacecraft for the spacewalk.
This mission follows the tradition of government astronauts performing spacewalks, such as those on the International Space Station, but represents a significant step in private space exploration.
Reference(s):
Crewed SpaceX mission delayed after leak in ground equipment
cgtn.com
