Polaris Dawn

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off with Polaris Dawn, a private human spaceflight mission with two crew members expected to attempt the first-ever private spacewalk, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, US September 10, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Joe Skipper
USA

SpaceX launches billionaire's private crew on milestone spacewalk mission

The capsule reached orbit about nine and a half minutes later, and the crew batted around a small plush astronaut toy dog as free fall - zero gravity - became apparent. Crew Dragon separated from...

The launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base carrying the NROL-113 mission into orbit can be seen over the ocean and high in the night sky, in this time exposure taken from Encinitas, California, US September 5, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Mike Blake
Science

What is helium and why is it used in rockets?

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is prepared for launch of Polaris Dawn, a private human spaceflight mission, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, US August 26, 2024. Two crew members are expected to attempt the first-ever private spacewalk. Photo: REUTERS/Joe Skipper/File Photo
USA

Crewed SpaceX mission delayed after leak in ground equipment

Anna Menon, Scott Poteet, commander Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis, crew members of Polaris Dawn, a private human spaceflight mission, attend a press conference at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, US August 19, 2024. Launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled for August 26. Photo: REUTERS/Joe Skipper
Tech

SpaceX's Polaris crew set for first private spacewalking mission next week