BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Florida’s Space Coast is busy this morning as SpaceX launches private astronauts on its Polaris Dawn mission.
5:40 a.m. update:
SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew Dragon spacecraft at 5:23 a.m. from KSC.
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Click the video below to see liftoff of the Polaris Dawn mission:
Four private astronauts are aboard for the 5-day Polaris Dawn mission.
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SpaceX confirmed main booster separation and successful landing on its droneship “Just Read the Instructions” in the Atlantic Ocean.
Main engine cutoff and stage separation confirmed. Second stage engine burn underway
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 10, 2024
SpaceX said the Polaris crew entered zero gravity.
The crew will now prepare for Thursday’s spacewalk — the first performed by commercial astronauts.
Dragon will initiate a two-day pre-breathe process to prepare the crew for their upcoming spacewalk on Thursday, September 12 pic.twitter.com/xxL2TRV6JX
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 10, 2024
Be sure to monitor WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates on the Polaris Dawn mission.
5 a.m. update:
SpaceX says Polaris Dawn is “go for launch” at 5:23 a.m.
Polaris Dawn is go for launch pic.twitter.com/tx1gUyZjZr
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 10, 2024
Original story:
The mission has been delayed numerous times over the past two weeks.
The company announced less than an hour before the planned 3:38 a.m. liftoff Tuesday that weather was not cooperating.
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SpaceX said it is now aiming for launch this morning at 5:23 a.m.
Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew Dragon spacecraft will happen from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
Due to unfavorable weather at the launch site, now targeting 5:23 a.m. ET for Falcon 9 to launch @PolarisProgram's Polaris Dawn mission to orbit
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 10, 2024
The mission aims to send four private astronauts aboard the spacecraft to the highest Earth orbit flown since the Apollo program.
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The crew will also attempt the first private spacewalk.
Channel 9′s Melonie Holt is on the Space Coast to cover this morning’s launch.
When it happens, you can watch the live launch on Channel 9 and by clicking right here.
Polaris Dawn crew suits up for launch and arrives at pad 39A pic.twitter.com/Fo1iwQZLnF
— Polaris (@PolarisProgram) September 10, 2024
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