SpaceX aims high with Polaris Dawn mission

SpaceX has launched the Polaris Dawn mission, which is set to surpass the altitude record set by Gemini 11 and feature a commercial spacewalk using SpaceX-designed Extravehicular Activity (EVA) spacesuits.

The launch has been a while coming and subject to multiple delays in the run-up to the mission. An umbilical helium leak caused an August scrub and unfavorable weather resulted in additional postponements. The weather again presented an issue this morning, causing one scrub after the crew had been loaded.

SpaceX had several opportunities to launch today, and it was second time lucky for the crew, led by the mission's commander, Shift4 CEO Jared Isaacman.

The mission, launched from LC-39A from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, is expected to last five days. The first notable objective will be to raise the orbit to 190 x 1,400 km, thus surpassing the highest altitude achieved by the Gemini astronauts ...