SpaceX is gearing up for its next private mission, which is set to take place at the end of this month. The Polaris Dawn mission marks a significant milestone in the company’s history, as it will include the first-ever attempt at astronauts stepping out into space. This mission is part of a series of three flights that were purchased by billionaire Jared Isaacman for his human spaceflight initiative, the Polaris Program. The crew for the Polaris Dawn mission consists of Isaacman as the commander, Scott Poteet as the pilot, and SpaceX employees Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis serving as the flight’s medical officer and mission specialist, respectively.
The Polaris Dawn mission is not headed towards a specific destination but will instead be a free-flying voyage tracing orbits that venture far from Earth. The highlight of the mission is the planned spacewalk, which no private venture has undertaken before. Isaacman and his crew have been undergoing extensive training to prepare for this challenging endeavor. The crew will be venturing to a very high altitude that humans have not explored in over 50 years. Isaacman likened the experience of training for the spacewalk to being in a vacuum chamber, which replicates the conditions of space and highlights the psychological stressors of operating in a harsh environment.
The day-to-day schedule for the Polaris Dawn mission has been meticulously planned, with the crew expected to spend up to five days in space. The first day will involve determining a launch time that minimizes the risk of micrometeorite orbital debris. Following that, the crew will conduct extensive checks of the Dragon capsule Resilience before reaching an orbit of 1,400 kilometers. Day two will focus on conducting scientific experiments and preparing for the spacewalk, along with testing the extravehicular activity (EVA) suits in microgravity. On day three, the crew will embark on the spacewalk, with Isaacman and Gillis venturing outside the Dragon capsule while Poteet and Menon provide support from within.
One of the key elements enabling the spacewalk is SpaceX’s innovative spacesuit design. Over the past few years, the company has been refining its EVA suit, which is crucial for the success of the mission. SpaceX’s rigorous testing of different materials and designs has resulted in a cutting-edge suit that will be used during the spacewalk. The EVA is expected to be live-streamed, allowing viewers to witness this historic event in real-time. Isaacman emphasized the importance of learning from the spacewalk to improve future suit designs for upcoming missions to the moon, Mars, and low Earth orbit.
The Polaris Dawn mission represents a significant leap forward in private spaceflight, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in human exploration beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Isaacman hopes that this mission will inspire others and drive excitement for the future of space travel. By showcasing groundbreaking achievements, such as the first private spacewalk, SpaceX is paving the way for new opportunities and advancements in the field of space exploration. The success of the Polaris Dawn mission will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the trajectory of human spaceflight.
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