SpaceX prepares to launch Polaris Dawn mission with civilian crew

The SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission prepares for takeoff from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, SpaceX said. The multiday orbital expedition is set to feature the first-ever spacewalk by private citizens and is aiming to fly deeper into space than any other manned mission in more than half a century.

The four-member crew is led by Shift4 Payments CEO Jared Iscaacman. It is also aiming to fly deeper into space than any other manned mission in more than half a century, reaching a peak altitude of 870 miles. The mission has been delayed several times, initially due to a technical issue with the launch tower and since then because of weather constraints.