Launch Preview: Polaris Dawn

SpaceX plans to launch Polaris Dawn early tomorrow morning from Pad LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center, with four astronauts aboard a Crew Dragon.

The launch is currently scheduled for 3:38 AM EDT, with two additional launch opportunities within a four-hour window at 5:23 AM EDT and 7:09 AM EDT. If, for some reason, the launch does not happen tomorrow morning, backup opportunities are available on Wednesday, August 28, at the same time.

Booster B1083 will be making its fourth flight on this mission. It has been in service since March, 2024 when it launched the Crew-8 mission from KSC. Its two other flights were Starlink missions.

At A Glance

• Mission: Polaris Dawn
• Date: NET August 27, 2024
• Launch Window: 03:38 AM – 07:09 AM EDT*
• Weather: 80% Go during the primary launch window
• Organization: SpaceX / Polaris Program
• Rocket: Falcon 9
• Trajectory: Northeast
• Launch Site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center
• Booster Landing: ASDS ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’
• Payload: Crew Dragon ‘Resilience’ with four crew members
• Destination: LEO
  
  ^{* consult SpaceX website for the specific target for T-0.}

Weather

There is a favorable forecast for tonight’s launch from the 45th Weather Squadron. They are calling for a 20% Probability of Violation of weather criteria, meaning there is an 80% chance the weather is acceptable for the launch.

Trajectory

Northeastwards, at around 51.8 degrees.

Payload

Crew Dragon Resilience, with four astronauts aboard: Jared Isaacman, Mission Commander; Scott “Kidd” Poteet, Mission Pilot; Sarah Gillis, Mission Specialist; and Anna Menon, Mission Specialist and Medical Officer.

Resilience will be familiar to Jared Isaacman, he flew aboard it during the Inspiration 4 mission.

Official Links
Polaris Dawn Official Website
SpaceX Official Polaris Dawn page
Polaris Dawn St. Jude’s Donation Page (please donate!)