Update
New Release Date: Aug. 27
The Polaris Dawn mission is scheduled to launch on August 27, a day later than originally planned.
“The new date allows additional time for teams to complete preflight checkouts ahead of next week’s launch,” SpaceX wrote. Post on X.
“We will gladly take an extra day to ensure readiness,” said mission commander Jared Isaacman. wrote in a post on X.
Polaris Dawn Raises Millions for St. Jude
As the Polaris Dawn crew prepares for their personal launch into space with SpaceX on Aug. 26, the fundraising portion of the mission for its chosen nonprofit is in full swing. St. Jude Children’s Research HospitalIt studies and treats cancer in children.
Polaris Dawn Commander Jared Isaacman said his first space mission, 2021’s Inspiration4, “raised more than $250 million for them. We’ve raised millions through Polaris Dawn and will continue to do so for the duration of the Polaris program.”
Along with the efforts of Isaacman and the Polaris Dawn team, the mission has found partners to help raise more funds for St. Jude.
Doritos has designed a new Zero Gravity Cool Ranch chip, designed for safe snacking in weightlessness, and is giving away tins of chips and flying into space as prizes as part of its fundraising campaign, which you can find here. https://doritos.experience.stjude.org/. So far, the project has raised more than $538,000 and is approaching the $585,000 goal.
Meanwhile, luxury watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen has donated a Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Polaris Dawn” watch, which will be worn on the flight and will be auctioned after the flight to benefit St. Jude.
Mission specialist Anna Menon also wrote a children’s book. “Kisses from Outer Space” She will read during the flight, and proceeds from the sale of the book go to St. Jude.
1 week since the launch of the Polaris Dawn crew
The four private astronauts of SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission are a week away from launch after two years of training, which they hope will include the world’s first private spacewalk.
American billionaire Jared Isaacman, who backed his personal Inspiration4 space mission with SpaceX, will command the Polaris Dawn mission, the first of three new space missions purchased from SpaceX.
Isaacman, pilot Scott “Kid” Poteet and mission specialists Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, SpaceX’s lead space operations engineers, arrive at their launch pad at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on August 19. Liftoff is set for August 26 at 3:38 am EDT (0738 GMT)..
The mission, announced for 2022, will test new spacesuits for SpaceX during a planned 2-hour spacewalk during the five-day mission. On August 19, the crew spoke to the media about their upcoming work.
Read all about it in our wrap storye From Space.com’s Josh Dinner.
Doritos goes into space with Polaris Don
Polaris Dawn will have some brand new snacks in space when SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Resilience launches on August 26.
Doritos is flying a brand new variety of safe zero gravity Cool Ranch Doritos chips into space during a private space flight. The limited-edition flavor is available for sale online and features an oil-based coating to keep Doritos’ classic powder topping from floating in weightlessness.
“The limitless possibilities of the space inspired us to push the boundaries of what’s possible,” said Chris Bellinger, chief creative officer of PepsiCo Foods North America, in a statement. “This mission is a testament to our commitment to deliver bold experiences and flavors even in the most unexpected places.”
You can read more about the new Space Doritos in our full story by Robert Pearlman Place of collection.com.
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