On board the craft is an all-civilian crew under the command of billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman. Isaacman, who was also behind Inspiration4 – another historic commercial mission in 2021 that marked the first time an all-civilian crew went to space – helped fund the mission along with SpaceX.

Four astronauts are ready to spend five days in orbit on a mission that includes the first attempted spacewalk by private astronauts.

Watch the webcast of the SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission, which is set to facilitate the first private spacewalk, launching into orbit.