Two Dragons are getting ready to spread their wings.

On 21 August 2024, SpaceX showcased its Dragon capsules for for two significant missions: Polaris Dawn and Crew-9.

Launch Dates:

• Polaris Dawn Launch Date: August 26, 2024

  
  

• Crew-9 Launch Date: September 24, 2024

  
  

Polaris Dawn Mission

Polaris Dawn is the inaugural mission of the Polaris Program, funded by American entrepreneur billionaire, pilot, space tourist and philanthropist Jared Isaacman. It aims to push the boundaries of human spaceflight with a private crewed mission.

• Crew:

  • Jared Isaacman: Mission Commander

  • Scott "Kidd" Poteet: Pilot

  • Sarah Gillis: SpaceX Engineer

  • Anna Menon: SpaceX Engineer

    
    

• Mission Highlights:

  • First Private Spacewalk: The mission will feature the first-ever private spacewalk.

  • Orbit Altitude: Expected to reach up to 435 miles (700 kilometers) from Earth, further than any crewed mission since the Apollo era.

  • Historical Significance: Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon will become the women who have traveled farther into space than anyone before them.

    
    

Crew-9 Mission

Crew-9 will be the ninth operational mission for SpaceX, transporting astronauts to and from the ISS.

• Current Crew Manifest:

  • Alexsandr Gorbunov: Roscosmos

  • Nick Hague: NASA

  • Zena Cardman: NASA

  • Stephanie Wilson: NASA

    
    

• Potential Changes:

  • Possible Inclusion of Williams and Wilmore: Depending on the resolution of the issues with Boeing's Starliner, Crew-9 might be adjusted to include Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore. They could return to Earth aboard Crew-9 if it is determined that Starliner is not safe for their return.

Image: The Crew Dragon spacecraft that will fly on the Polaris Dawn and Crew-9 astronaut missions, seen here in a photo SpaceX posted to X on August 21, 2024. (Image credit: SpaceX)

Image: Polaris Dawn and Crew-9 will launch from Florida's Space Coast less than a month apart. (Image credit: SpaceX)