The Polaris Dawn mission, set to launch from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center on August 28, is making headlines as it promises to be the first-ever spacewalk by commercial space travelers. This landmark mission, backed by Elon Musk’s company SpaceX, aims to push the boundaries of orbital spaceflight with a crew comprising a businessman, a fighter pilot, and two SpaceX employees. Unlike the upcoming government-backed US Artemis missions, Polaris Dawn represents the emerging trend of privately funded space endeavors.
Commanded by Jared Isaacman, an American businessman who previously flew on a commercial SpaceX mission, the crew of Polaris Dawn includes Scott Poteet, a retired US Air Force lieutenant colonel as the pilot, and Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon as mission specialists and SpaceX employees. The mission objectives span from conducting a spacewalk to testing the effects of space radiation on human health, as well as experiments related to the eyes and vision system in microgravity, and a laser-based communication system in space.
One of the most anticipated aspects of the Polaris Dawn mission is the spacewalk that will be performed by Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis. Unlike traditional spacewalks conducted from the International Space Station (ISS), this EVA will be unique due to the Dragon capsule’s lack of an airlock. This means that the entire interior of the spacecraft will have to be depressurized, exposing all crew members to the vacuum of space while Isaacman and Gillis are outside performing the spacewalk.
While the crew members of Polaris Dawn are highly capable and well-trained for their mission, the lack of professional astronauts onboard poses certain risks. Three out of the four crew members will be experiencing their first spaceflight, adding an element of uncertainty to the ambitious objectives of the mission. However, the historic nature of the first commercial spacewalk and the potential advancements in medical research make Polaris Dawn an inspiring endeavor.
In line with the philanthropic efforts of commander Jared Isaacman, the Polaris Dawn mission aims to raise funds for the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital through donations on their website. The crew members will also conduct health-related experiments during the mission to advance medical research. This mission is the first of three in the privately funded Polaris Program, which seeks to lower the cost of access to orbit and democratize spaceflight.
The Polaris Dawn mission will utilize the Dragon spacecraft named Resilience, symbolizing the link between past achievements in space travel and current breakthroughs. As the mission unfolds, it is set to inspire the younger generation to view space as a natural extension of human exploration beyond Earth’s limits. Ultimately, Polaris Dawn represents a pivotal moment in the history of commercial space travel, paving the way for future missions and discoveries.
The Polaris Dawn mission stands as a testament to the advancements in commercial space travel and the potential for collaboration between private entities and government agencies in exploring the cosmos. Despite the risks and challenges involved, the mission’s objectives hold promise for scientific research, medical advancements, and humanitarian efforts. As the crew of Polaris Dawn prepares to embark on their historic journey, the world watches in anticipation of the groundbreaking discoveries and contributions that lie ahead in the realm of space exploration.
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