Oh, Look! Another Billionaire Joyride to Space

Buckle up, folks! Polaris Dawn, an oh-so-ambitious all-civilian spaceflight, is set to blast off Tuesday. Because why not flaunt your wealth in the void of space, right?

Four lucky private astronauts will zoom into Earth's orbit in a SpaceX Dragon capsule, where they'll do the first-ever commercial spacewalk. Because walking in space is so last season; now it's all about the branding.

This historic mission— Historic? Really? — is brought to you by none other than billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman and his crew. You remember him, right? The guy who brought us 2021's inspiring Inspiration4. What a hero.

Isaacman and Elon Musk's SpaceX are basically bankrolling this space adventure. You know, just a casual trip to the cosmos while the rest of us worry about rent.

The mission has already been delayed once, and who knows? It might get scrubbed again due to minor issues like bad weather or spacecraft troubles. But hey, at least they're trying, right?

Polaris Dawn: Because Billionaires Need Space Too

When is this historic launch?

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

The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule will lift off atop a Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX is aiming for a 3:38 a.m. liftoff, with a launch window open until 7 a.m., according to NASA.

If something goes wrong, backup launch times are available at the same times on Wednesday. Because space waits for no one.

How to watch the spectacle

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. Because who doesn't want to pay to watch billionaires have fun?

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 playtime schedule

• Day 1: Launch, then cruise through Earth's Van Allen radiation belt to 870 miles above the surface, according to FLORIDA TODAY. The capsule will then chill at a new cruising orbit about 435 miles above Earth.
• Day 2: Spacewalk prep, including checks of the four specially designed SpaceX spacesuits. Mission Specialist Anna Menon will read a children's book to her kids and patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Awww.
• Day 3: Conduct a spacewalk, livestreamed for your viewing pleasure. Two crewmembers will exit, exposing the entire capsule to the vacuum of space. But don't worry, they'll all wear oxygen-tethered suits.
• Day 4: Test a new laser-based satellite communication system using Starlink. Because the Internet in space needs to be fast too.
• Day 5: Complete around 40 scientific experiments (because science!) and prep for reentry.
• Day 6: Reenter Earth's atmosphere and splash down at one of seven sites off the Florida coast. Splash!

Contributing: Rick Neale, Florida Today

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