Space and Tech
What to Watch When Polaris Dawn Launches Next Week
Last Updated on August 25, 2024 by Daily News Staff
On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 3:38 a.m. EDT (7:38 UTC), a historic event will take place in the realm of space exploration. The Polaris Dawn mission, an all-civilian spaceflight, is scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission marks the first of the Polaris Program, a private spaceflight initiative spearheaded by entrepreneur Jared Isaacman.
A New Era of Civilian Space Exploration
The Polaris Dawn mission is significant because it is the first mission in history to send an entirely civilian crew into space. The crew will ride aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Resilience, a spacecraft that was developed under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The mission was originally set to launch on July 31 but was delayed to its current date.
Jared Isaacman, the mission’s organizer and a crew member, is no stranger to spaceflight. He led the Inspiration4 mission in 2021, the first all-civilian mission to orbit Earth. Isaacman, who made his fortune in payment processing, is also the financial backer of Polaris Dawn, continuing his commitment to pushing the boundaries of private space exploration. Joining Isaacman on this mission are Scott Poteet, a retired U.S. Air Force pilot, and SpaceX engineers Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon.
In addition to its groundbreaking nature, the Polaris Dawn mission has a philanthropic angle. Like the Inspiration4 mission, Polaris Dawn will raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, which is dedicated to fighting childhood cancer.
Polaris Dawn: Breaking Records and Pushing Boundaries
One of the mission’s most notable aspects is the altitude it aims to achieve. Polaris Dawn’s initial orbit will reach an astonishing 870 miles (1,400 km) above Earth, making it the highest orbit since NASA’s Gemini 11 mission in 1966. This height is about three and a half times higher than the International Space Station (ISS) and will take the crew through parts of the Van Allen radiation belts. Interestingly, a third Van Allen belt appeared during intense solar and geomagnetic storms in May 2024. The mission offers a unique opportunity to study space radiation’s effects on human health, whether there are two or three belts to contend with.
The First Civilian Spacewalk
Another historic first for Polaris Dawn will be the first civilian spacewalk, or extravehicular activity (EVA). While orbiting at 430 miles (700 km) above Earth—still almost twice as high as the ISS—Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis will step out of the Dragon capsule to perform this spacewalk. They’ll be donning SpaceX’s new EVA spacesuits, which were tested and approved just last month.
However, unlike traditional spacecraft, the Dragon capsule lacks an airlock. Instead, the entire crew will wear their spacesuits while inside the capsule, and when the skywalker nose hatch opens, the cabin and its occupants will be exposed to the vacuum of space. Scott Poteet and Anna Menon will remain inside the vehicle during the spacewalk, but the crew’s exposure will set a new record for the most people in the vacuum of space at once.
Cutting-Edge Communication
The mission will also test SpaceX’s Starlink laser-based communications system. With this technology, the crew will be able to maintain high-speed, reliable communication with Earth, even from such a high orbit.
Conclusion
Polaris Dawn is more than just a mission; it’s a milestone in the evolution of space exploration. As the first all-civilian spaceflight to reach such high altitudes, attempt a civilian spacewalk, and test new technologies, it represents a giant leap for private space travel. Don’t miss the opportunity to watch this historic launch live on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. The mission promises to push the boundaries of what is possible and inspire future generations to reach for the stars.
https://polarisprogram.com/dawn
The science section of our news blog STM Daily News provides readers with captivating and up-to-date information on the latest scientific discoveries, breakthroughs, and innovations across various fields. We offer engaging and accessible content, ensuring that readers with different levels of scientific knowledge can stay informed. Whether it’s exploring advancements in medicine, astronomy, technology, or environmental sciences, our science section strives to shed light on the intriguing world of scientific exploration and its profound impact on our daily lives. From thought-provoking articles to informative interviews with experts in the field, STM Daily News Science offers a harmonious blend of factual reporting, analysis, and exploration, making it a go-to source for science enthusiasts and curious minds alike. https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/
Author
Last Updated on April 2, 2026 by Daily News Staff
🕒 [UPDATE] Orion Performs Translunar Injection Burn
The spacecraft has completed its critical engine burn, sending Artemis II on a trajectory toward the Moon. This marks the official start of its deep space journey.
Artemis II Successfully Launches
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA has successfully launched its Artemis II mission, marking the first crewed journey toward the Moon in more than 50 years.
The powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket lifted off from Kennedy Space Center on April 1, carrying four astronauts on a 10-day mission around the Moon and back.
On board are Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The mission is already being hailed as a major milestone in NASA’s effort to return humans to deep space.
Shortly after liftoff, the Orion spacecraft successfully reached orbit and deployed its solar arrays, beginning its journey that will eventually send the crew on a translunar trajectory toward the Moon. 
Artemis II is a lunar flyby mission, meaning astronauts will not land but will travel farther from Earth than any human mission in decades while testing critical systems needed for future landings.
The mission also marks several historic firsts, including the first woman and the first person of color—Victor Glover—to travel into lunar space.
NASA says the mission is a key step toward future lunar landings and long-term plans to establish a human presence on the Moon later this decade.
🛰️ Artemis II Mission Timeline
The 10-day Artemis II mission follows a carefully planned trajectory from Earth to the Moon and back:
- Day 1: Launch and Earth orbit
- Day 1–2: Translunar injection burn
- Days 2–4: Deep space travel
- Days 4–5: Lunar flyby
- Days 5–8: Return to Earth
- Days 9–10: Reentry and splashdown
For official updates and in-depth mission details, visit the following trusted sources:
- NASA: Artemis II Mission Overview
- NASA Artemis Program (Return to the Moon)
- Orion Spacecraft – Mission Details
- Space Launch System (SLS) Rocket Overview
- Kennedy Space Center – Launch Operations
- Watch NASA Live Coverage and Replays
🧾 Sources
- NASA official launch coverage and mission updates
- NASA Artemis II press materials and briefings
- NASA Kennedy Space Center launch operations updates
Stay with STM Daily News for live updates on Artemis II.
Last Updated on February 10, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Valerie Thomas is a true pioneer in the world of science and technology. A NASA engineer and physicist, she is best known for inventing the illusion transmitter, a groundbreaking device that creates 3D images using concave mirrors. This invention laid the foundation for modern 3D imaging and virtual reality technologies.
Beyond her inventions, Thomas broke barriers as an African American woman in STEM, mentoring countless young scientists and advocating for diversity in science and engineering. Her work at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center helped advance satellite technology and data visualization, making her contributions both innovative and enduring.
In our latest short video, we highlight Valerie Thomas’ remarkable journey—from her early passion for science to her groundbreaking work at NASA. Watch and be inspired by a true STEM pioneer whose legacy continues to shape the future of space and technology.
🎥 Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/P5XTgpcAoHw
Dive into “The Knowledge,” where curiosity meets clarity. This playlist, in collaboration with STMDailyNews.com, is designed for viewers who value historical accuracy and insightful learning. Our short videos, ranging from 30 seconds to a minute and a half, make complex subjects easy to grasp in no time. Covering everything from historical events to contemporary processes and entertainment, “The Knowledge” bridges the past with the present. In a world where information is abundant yet often misused, our series aims to guide you through the noise, preserving vital knowledge and truths that shape our lives today. Perfect for curious minds eager to discover the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of everything around us. Subscribe and join in as we explore the facts that matter. https://stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge/
Forgotten Genius Fridays
https://stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge-2/forgotten-genius-fridays/
🧠 Forgotten Genius Fridays
A Short-Form Series from The Knowledge by STM Daily News
Every Friday, STM Daily News shines a light on brilliant minds history overlooked.
Forgotten Genius Fridays is a weekly collection of short videos and articles dedicated to inventors, innovators, scientists, and creators whose impact changed the world—but whose names were often left out of the textbooks.
From life-saving inventions and cultural breakthroughs to game-changing ideas buried by bias, our series digs up the truth behind the minds that mattered.
Each episode of The Knowledge runs 30–90 seconds, designed for curious minds on the go—perfect for YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Reels, and quick reads.
Because remembering these stories isn’t just about the past—it’s about restoring credit where it’s long overdue.
🔔 New episodes every Friday
📺 Watch now at: stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge
🧠 Now you know.
Author
The Knowledge
Beneath the Waves: The Global Push to Build Undersea Railways
Undersea railways are transforming transportation, turning oceans from barriers into gateways. Proven by tunnels like the Channel and Seikan, these innovations offer cleaner, reliable connections for passengers and freight. Ongoing projects in China and Europe, alongside future proposals, signal a new era of global mobility beneath the waves.
For most of modern history, oceans have acted as natural barriers—dividing nations, slowing trade, and shaping how cities grow. But beneath the waves, a quiet transportation revolution is underway. Infrastructure once limited by geography is now being reimagined through undersea railways.
Undersea rail tunnels—like the Channel Tunnel and Japan’s Seikan Tunnel—proved decades ago that trains could reliably travel beneath the ocean floor. Today, new projects are expanding that vision even further.
Around the world, engineers and governments are investing in undersea railways—tunnels that allow high-speed trains to travel beneath oceans and seas. Once considered science fiction, these projects are now operational, under construction, or actively being planned.
Undersea Rail Is Already a Reality
Japan’s Seikan Tunnel and the Channel Tunnel between the United Kingdom and France proved decades ago that undersea railways are not only possible, but reliable. These tunnels carry passengers and freight beneath the sea every day, reshaping regional connectivity.
Undersea railways are cleaner than short-haul flights, more resilient than bridges, and capable of lasting more than a century. As climate pressures and congestion increase, rail beneath the sea is emerging as a practical solution for future mobility.
What’s Being Built Right Now
China is currently constructing the Jintang Undersea Railway Tunnel as part of the Ningbo–Zhoushan high-speed rail line, while Europe’s Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link will soon connect Denmark and Germany beneath the Baltic Sea. These projects highlight how transportation and technology are converging to solve modern mobility challenges.
The Mega-Projects Still on the Drawing Board
Looking ahead, proposals such as the Helsinki–Tallinn Tunnel and the long-studied Strait of Gibraltar rail tunnel could reshape global affairs by linking regions—and even continents—once separated by water.
Why Undersea Rail Matters
The future of transportation may not rise above the ocean—but run quietly beneath it.
