Polaris Dawn: SpaceX to Launch Billionaire and 3 Others into Orbit on Civilian Mission

Polaris Dawn, an ambitious all-civilian spaceflight, is scheduled to liftoff Tuesday. When the mission commences with the launch of a SpaceX Dragon capsule, four private astronauts will rocket into the upper reaches of Earth's orbit, where they will conduct the first-ever commercial spacewalk, among other things.

The mission has the potential to be historic—not just because of the many firsts that billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman's crew hopes to accomplish. A successful mission would also be a crucial step in laying the groundwork for future deep space exploration as NASA and other space agencies set their sights on destinations like Mars.

Isaacman, the man behind 2021's Inspiration4—the mission that became the first-ever private orbital spaceflight—helped bankroll Polaris Dawn along with Elon Musk's SpaceX.

The mission, initially scheduled to launch early Monday before a 24-hour delay, still has the potential to be scrubbed due to factors such as poor weather conditions or unexpected issues with the spacecraft. If everything goes to plan, here's how to watch it.

When is the Polaris Dawn launch?

After arriving last week at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the four-member crew of Polaris Dawn is scheduled to embark on their Earth orbit mission as early as Tuesday.

The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule that will carry them into orbit will lift off atop a Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX is targeting a 3:38 a.m. liftoff, but the launch window lasts until 7 a.m. should delays arise, according to NASA.

If needed, backup launch times are available at the same times on Wednesday.

How to watch the Polaris Dawn launch

SpaceX will stream the launch via X, formerly Twitter. The webcast will go live about three and a half hours before liftoff.

NASA is also selling tickets to watch the launch in person at the Florida base.

FLORIDA TODAY, part of the USA TODAY Network, will also provide live coverage starting about two hours before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.

The Polaris Dawn planned orbit schedule

• Day 1: Launch, then pass through the inner regions of Earth's Van Allen radiation belt to 870 miles above the surface, according to FLORIDA TODAY. The capsule will then descend to a new cruising orbit about 435 miles above Earth.
• Day 2: Spacewalk preparations, including checks of the four extravehicular activity (EVA) spacesuits that were specially designed by SpaceX. This is also the day when Mission Specialist Anna Menon will read a children's book she authored to her son and daughter, as well as patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
• Day 3: Conduct a spacewalk, which will be livestreamed. Two crewmembers will exit the spacecraft, but because the Dragon does not have an airlock, its entire interior will be exposed to the vacuum of space, meaning all four astronauts will wear the suits to receive oxygen through tethers.
• Day 4: Test a new laser-based satellite communication system using Starlink.
• Day 5: Complete some 40 scientific experiments—many of which are to understand the human body's reaction to long spaceflights—and prepare for reentry.
• Day 6: Reenter Earth's atmosphere and splash down at one of seven sites off the Florida coast.

Contributing: Rick Neale, Florida Today

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com