SpaceX's private Polaris Dawn astronauts talk from orbit about the US flag and children's books during their historic spaceflight (videos)

The private crew of Polaris Dawn called home from space to share their historic mission with two nonprofit organizations close to their hearts.

Polaris Dawn, funded and commanded by billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, launched early Tuesday morning (Sept. 10) and has since completed the first commercial spacewalk and the highest orbit of a manned vehicle since the Apollo years. But Isaacman and his crew are also supporting nonprofits through fundraisers and public events to raise awareness.

On Wednesday (September 11), the four astronauts unveiled the US flag in their SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of September 11. On September 11, 2001, about 3,000 people died in coordinated terrorist attacks in several states.

“We are eternally grateful,” Polaris Dawn pilot Scott Poteet, a business partner of Isaacman and a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, told Folds of Honor from space about the sacrifices made by military personnel and first responders during this and other events.