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SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission has been delayed due to a helium leak in the Quick Disconnect umbilical.
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The mission, carrying four private citizens, was initially scheduled for early Tuesday but has been postponed until at least Wednesday.
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The issue is similar to one encountered by the Starliner spacecraft that carried Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to the ISS.
SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission has been delayed due to a technical issue. A helium leak was detected in the Quick Disconnect umbilical, a critical component in the ground support system. The mission, initially scheduled for early Tuesday, has been postponed until at least Wednesday, August 28.
The Polaris Dawn mission aims to make history as the first mission to include a spacewalk by non-professional astronauts. The crew consists of four private citizens, including billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman and two SpaceX engineers, Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. The mission will attempt to reach the highest Earth orbit since the Apollo program and conduct 36 research studies.
Despite the delay, SpaceX assured that both the Falcon 9 rocket and the Dragon spacecraft remain in good condition, and the crew is ready for their mission to low-Earth orbit. The next launch opportunity is scheduled for Wednesday at 3:38 am ET, with backup opportunities available on Thursday, August 29.
