Polaris Dawn is not your typical astronaut mission, nor are these typical astronauts.
Three years ago, entrepreneur and Shift4 founder Jared Isaacman commanded Inspiration4 − the first all-civilian mission to orbit the Earth, flying on a SpaceX Dragon. The spacefaring businessman is now set to fly again on a SpaceX Dragon − and once again, he's poised to seize another first.
This time, Isaacman hopes to carry out the first commercial spacewalk (EVA or extravehicular activity) — a risky maneuver that has been the purview of only astronauts working for national space agencies. Spacewalks are conducted outside the safety of the pressurized spacecraft in the vacuum of space.
Polaris Dawn is targeting a launch at 3:38 a.m. Tuesday , Aug. 27, carrying Isaacman and three fellow crewmates: pilot Scott "Kidd" Poteet, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel who flew with the Thunderbirds; mission specialist Sarah Gillis, a SpaceX lead space operations engineer who trained the Inspiration4 astronauts ; and mission specialist/medical officer Anna Menon, a SpaceX lead space operations engineer who served in mission control during multiple crewed missions.
They are slated to orbit higher than any spacecraft since NASA's Apollo missions.
Isaacman told FLORIDA TODAY, a USA TODAY Network newspaper, that SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has high ambitions for SpaceX's goal of making human life multiplanetary, and this mission grew out of that aim. The spacewalk is a big part of that.
Can you see a rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral in Daytona Beach or New Smyrna Beach?
Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover, yes, rocket launches from neighboring Space Coast could be visible in the Volusia County area .
When there’s a launch window in the middle of the night or very early morning, there’s an opportunity for unique photos — the rocket lights up the dark sky and the contrail after makes for a great photo.
Below are suggestions on where to watch them and photos of previous rocket launches as seen from the Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange areas of Florida. There's also a real-time weather radar to check for rainy conditions around the Fun Coast and other surrounding areas. For questions or comments, email FLORIDA TODAY Space Reporter Rick Neale at rneale@floridatoday.com. For more space news from the USA TODAY Network, visit floridatoday.com/space .
Is there a rocket launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA rocket launch schedule from Florida
- Mission: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will lift Shift4 founder and entrepreneur Jared Isaacman's four-civilian crew on a SpaceX Dragon orbital mission. This mission will bring the debut of the SpaceX EVA spacesuit, as well as the first spacewalk by a private company.
- Launch: 3:38 a.m.EDT Tuesday, Aug. 27
- Location: Kennedy Space Center launch pad 39A
- Live coverage : You can watch live rocket launch coverage from USA TODAY Network’s Space Team , which consists of FLORIDA TODAY space reporters Rick Neale and Brooke Edwards and visuals journalists Craig Bailey, Malcolm Denemark and Tim Shortt. Our Space Team will provide up-to-the-minute updates in a mobile-friendly live blog, complete with a countdown clock, at floridatoday.com/space , starting two hours before liftoff. You can download the free FLORIDA TODAY app , which is available in the App Store or Google Play , or type floridatoday.com/space into your browser.
Weather radar for Daytona Beach, Florida. Will weather cancel a rocket launch?
Shown is the National Weather Service-Melbourne radar, which shows conditions in real-time for the Fun Coast and other parts of Florida. The current date and time show up on the bottom right of this radar embed; otherwise, you may need to clear your cache.
In Volusia County, immediately north of Brevard County — home to Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station — you can get a great view of a SpaceX, NASA or United Launch Alliance rocket launch .
The best views to watch a rocket launch from here is along the beach. Look due south. Readers have also mentioned seeing a rocket launch from New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach. Here are some recommended spots:
• South New Smyrna Beach (Canaveral National Seashore), there may be parking costs. New Smyrna Beach features 17 miles of white sandy beaches. An eclectic and quaint beach town, despite its reputation as the "Shark Bite Capital of the World," New Smyrna Beach has always been a haven for surfers who come for the waves.
• Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park , 6656 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach. Bethune Beach, which is 3.5 miles south of New Smyrna Beach and one mile north of the Apollo Beach entrance to Canaveral National Seashore Park, has restrooms, picnic pavilions, showers and nearly 800 feet of beachfront sidewalk, according to Volusia County's site . The nearby riverside park area is across South Atlantic Avenue with tennis courts, pickle ball courts, basketball and volleyball courts, playground, fishing pier and restrooms. The river by the park can be a great viewing spot for manatees, dolphins and pelicans.
• Apollo Beach at Canaveral National Seashore (south of New Smyrna Beach). Canaveral National Seashore runs along Florida's East Coast in Volusia County and Brevard County. To access Apollo Beach, take Interstate 95 to exit 249, then travel east until it turns into State Road A1A. Follow SR A1A south to the park entrance.
• Oak Hill riverfront is the southernmost city in South Volusia County .
• Sunrise Park , 275 River Road, Oak Hill
• Goodrich's Seafood and Oyster House back deck, 253 River Road, Oak Hill
• Seminole Rest national historic site , 211 River Road, Oak Hill
• Riverbreeze Park , 250 H.H. Burch Road, Oak Hill
• Mary Dewees Park , 178 N. Gaines St., Oak Hill. Facilities include a rental building, playground, baseball field, basketball courts, tennis courts, outdoor restrooms, pavilions, picnic areas and grills.
• Nancy Cummings Park , 232 Cummings St., Oak Hill. Facilities include a playground, baseball field, basketball courts, outdoor pavilion and restrooms.
• Jimmie Vann Sunrise Park , 275 River Road, Oak Hill. This location has about 350 feet of beautifully restored shoreline, according to the city of Oak Hill online. Facilities include a pavilion, picnic tables and kayak launching facilities.
• A.C. Delbert Dewees Municipal Pier , 243 River Road, Oak Hill. Facilities include a 520-foot observation pier with two covered decks and seating, the city of Oak Hill site states.
• Bird Observation Pier on River Road across from A.C. Delbert Municipal Pier (see above). Facilities include a 100-foot observation pier.
Rocket launch photo from Port Orange, Florida
Rocket launch photos from New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Rocket launch photos from Daytona Beach, Florida
Rocket launch photo from Ormond-by-the-Sea, Florida
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang . Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper .
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX Polaris Dawn late-night rocket launch: When to watch it in Daytona, New Smyrna Beach
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