IWC Schaffhausen supports the Polaris Dawn Commercial Spaceflight Mission
The upcoming Polaris Dawn mission, the initial flight in a series of three space missions, is scheduled to take off from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center on August 26. The Polaris Program seeks to accelerate human space exploration by testing new technologies and conducting in-depth scientific research to understand how humans can adapt, live, and work in space. A total of 38 projects have been chosen from 23 partner institutions to contribute to both human health on Earth and future extended space journeys. In addition to Jared “Rook” Isaacman, who will lead the mission, the crew includes retired US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Scott “Kidd” Poteet and SpaceX engineers Sarah “Cooper” Gillis and Anna “Walker” Menon.
The Polaris Dawn mission will not only conduct scientific research in space but also raise funds and awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a renowned institution dedicated to treating childhood cancers and other pediatric diseases. To support this cause, IWC has created and donated four unique space-themed chronographs. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Polaris Dawn” features a 44.5-millimeter white ceramic case and dark blue lacquered dials adorned with countless stars and the mission logo. The titanium case backs of the watches are engraved with the names of the crew members. Upon their return to Earth, these watches will be auctioned at Christie’s in New York City to raise funds for St. Jude’s lifesaving work.
About the Polaris Dawn Program
The Polaris Program is a series of space missions aimed at advancing human space exploration beyond Earth. The program will start with Polaris Dawn and conclude with the first human flight on SpaceX’s Starship. During Polaris Dawn, the crew will spend up to five days in orbit aboard a Dragon spacecraft. They will attempt to reach the highest Earth orbit ever achieved, conduct the first commercial spacewalk, study the effects of long-duration spaceflight on human health, and test Starlink’s laser-based communication technology.
