This Week in Launch: Polaris Dawn will have it’s next attempt

This week we’re discussing Polaris Dawn’s return to the launch pad, with a hopeful launch this time, and Blue Origin’s delay in its ESCAPADE mission. But for now, eyes are on Polaris Dawn as it attempts to launch and fight off poor weather forecasts on its historic mission.

This week’s launches:

• September 10 (Tuesday)
  • SpaceX | Falcon 9 | Polaris Dawn | 3:38 A.M. ET
    • LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
• September 11 (Wednesday)
  • Roscosmos | Soyuz 2.1a | Soyuz MS-26 | 12:23 P.M. ET
    • Site 31/6, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
  • SpaceX | Falcon 9 | Starlink Group 9-6 | 7:45 P.M. PT
    • SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
• September 12 (Thursday)
  • SpaceX | Falcon 9 | BlueBird Block 1 #1-5 | 4:53 A.M. ET
    • SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
• September 13 (Friday)
  • Galactic Energy | Ceres 1 | Unknown Payload | 3:15 A.M. ET
    • Site 95A, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China
• September 15 (Sunday)
  • SpaceX | Falcon 9 | Galileo FOC FM26 & FM32 | 6:57 P.M. ET
    • SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida

News Roundup

ABL Space Systems laid off a portion of its workforce, blaming a post-static fire fire that consumed its second flight-worthy first stage and launch pad. Its burn rate was set so that it would be able to launch this mission and begin commercial operations for its third; with this loss, it has to further save on costs. [SpaceNews]

NASA announced the cuts from Crew-9 that would allow room for Starliner’s astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to return home early next year. Crew-9 will be commanded by NASA’s Nick Hague with Russia’s Aleksandr Gorbunov joining him. That left NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson cut from the mission, with chances to fly on future openings. [AP]

Blue Origin flew its 26th New Shepard mission from West Texas. The flight included the youngest woman to cross the Kármán line and the first NASA researcher to fly on a sub-orbital spaceflight. Blue Origin has not announced details for the NS-27 flight. [Blue Origin]

Polaris Dawn is back for another launch attempt

After waiting for clearer recovery weather for the last couple of weeks, Polaris Dawn is back on the launch pad for another go. Unlike missions to the ISS, Polaris Dawn has to await both optimal launch and recovery weather as there is no waiting for better weather when in orbit.

The historic mission will be the second for billionaire Jared Isaacman who will be commanding the mission. He previously flew on Inspiration4, a research flight but primarily outreach mission for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

This time around, Isaacman put together a more research and test flight-focused mission. The crew consists of a former US Air Force Thunderbird pilot and two SpaceX employees. Polaris Dawn plans to achieve the highest altitude spaceflight since the Apollo missions and the first commercial spacewalk with SpaceX’s newly designed EVA suits.

Of course, the mission will also continue to support St. Jude’s research and treatment of childhood cancer.

New Glenn’s first mission delayed

Over the weekend, NASA announced it would not be launching ESCAPADE this year but would reattempt to launch in early 2025. This mission was set to be Blue Origin’s first mission for its New Glenn rocket, and first orbital mission.

NASA made the decision because it was uncertain of Blue Origin’s launch schedule and was already attempting to launch on the last day of the Mars launch window. With the mission being on a brand new rocket, which is prone to launch day delays, it was deemed safer and less costly to not go forward with spacecraft fueling and give Blue Origin more time to get its rocket ready to launch.

With that delay, it means it will no longer be New Glenn’s first mission. The company announced it will fly Blue Ring hardware, Blue Origin’s orbital transfer vehicle, no earlier than November for its first orbital mission.

Blue is still getting the final parts of its first flight New Glenn built and tested, which added to NASA’s reason to delay.