2024-08-29 07:57:31
After a delay related to a helium leak, SpaceX’s first mission to take a tourist into outer space was scheduled to launch today, CBS reported. A billionaire, a pilot and two crew members were to board the rocket, the launch of which was scheduled to take place from the Kennedy Space Center in the state of Florida, USA. However, the flight was postponed again, BTA points out.
The Polaris Dawn mission was delayed by 24 hours after a helium leak was detected on Monday this week. Helium is not a flammable gas and is used in engine systems. The Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon capsule was scheduled to launch at 07:38 GMT today. However, in the late hours of Tuesday, a message came out on social media that the mission is being postponed again due to unfavorable weather conditions and the launch will be on Friday this week at the earliest.
The flight commander, billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacsman, wrote in Aix that the launch decision will be made day by day because of the critical importance of the mission. “We will wait for the best conditions to ensure success.”
During the three-day mission, the spacewalk will be broadcast live, AFP reported. The capsule will rise to an altitude of 1,400 km, the highest point since the Apollo lunar missions. It will be really great, promised Elon Musk.
This is the first time that a SpaceX crew will go into outer space, connected to the ship by a 3.5 meter rope.
Polar Dawn is the first mission of a total of three space-expended commercial SpaceX flights.