SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission delayed due to technical issue similar to Sunita Williams' Starliner

SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission, which was set to carry four private citizens into space, has been delayed due to a technical issue similar to one encountered during a previous mission.

Originally scheduled for early Tuesday from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the launch has been postponed after a helium leak was detected. The problem was identified in the Quick Disconnect umbilical, a vital component of the ground support system.

SpaceX has announced that the launch will now be delayed until at least Wednesday, August 28, while teams work to address the helium leak. Despite the setback, the company assured that both the Falcon 9 rocket and the Dragon spacecraft remain in excellent condition, and the crew is prepared for their mission to low-Earth orbit.

This issue is similar to the multiple helium leaks experienced by the spacecraft that carried astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station (ISS). NASA ultimately decided to use SpaceX’s Dragon Crew to return Williams and Wilmore in February 2025.

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The next launch attempt is slated for Wednesday at 3:38 AM ET, with additional windows at 5:23 AM and 7:09 AM. Should these opportunities be missed, backup launch slots are available on Thursday, August 29.

The Polaris Dawn mission aims to achieve several historic milestones, including the first spacewalk by non-professional astronauts.

The mission’s crew features billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, retired Air Force Lt Col Scott “Kidd” Poteet, and SpaceX engineers Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. Polaris Dawn is also set to reach the highest Earth orbit since the Apollo program and will conduct 36 research studies, including testing Starlink’s laser-based communications in space.

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The crew of Polaris Dawn brings a range of expertise to this pioneering mission. Mission Pilot Scott Poteet, Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, and Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Anna Menon will all be embarking on their first spaceflight.

Mission Commander Jared Isaacman, who previously led the Inspiration4 mission, will guide this historic journey. Notably, this mission will see SpaceX employees Gillis and Menon participating in human spaceflight for the first time, providing valuable insights that will benefit future missions aimed at advancing human space exploration and making life multi-planetary.