SpaceX is planning to launch three private flight missions in coming years, collectively called the Polaris Program, which seeks to demonstrate new technologies, advance deep space exploration while, at the same time, raise global awareness for Memphis-based St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Polaris Dawn, the first of these missions, is scheduled to be carried out by the fourth quarter of this year. “On Polaris Dawn, we endeavor to achieve the highest Earth orbit ever flown in addition to conducting the world’s first commercial spacewalk, and testing of Starlink laser-based communication,” Jared Isaacman, the mission commander of the Polaris Dawn crew, said in a Feb. 14 press release. “Alongside these important objectives, we will be supporting scientific research to advance both human health interests on Earth and our understanding of human health during future long-duration spaceflights.” Isaacman is the founder and CEO of payment processing company Shift4. He led the world’s …