SpaceX to attempt historic Florida launch with commercial astronauts Tuesday

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — SpaceX will again attempt a launch to low-orbit Earth with commercial astronauts early Tuesday morning.

A previous attempt late last month was postponed due to weather.

Polaris Dawn is scheduled to lift off at 3:38 a.m. from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Backup opportunities are available at 5:23 a.m. and 7:09 a.m. and again Wednesday.

The Dragon spacecraft and crew “will endeavor to reach the highest Earth orbit ever flown since the Apollo program and participate in the first-ever extravehicular activity (EVA) by commercial astronauts wearing SpaceX-developed EVA suits,” according to SpaceX.

The crew will conduct 36 experiments and studies “designed to advance both human health on Earth and during long-duration spaceflight, and test Starlink laser-based communications in space.”

Mission Pilot Kidd Poteet, Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Anna Menon and Mission Commander Jared Isaacman will be onboard the spacecraft.

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