A historic moment in space exploration is on the horizon as four members of SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission prepare for the first-ever private spacewalk. The five-day expedition, led by American billionaire Jared Isaacman, is set to launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on August 26, 2024. This mission marks a significant milestone in the commercial space industry, highlighting the growing role of private companies in space exploration.
Mission Overview
Polaris Dawn is the first of three missions planned under the Polaris Program, which Isaacman and SpaceX jointly fund. The program was announced two and a half years ago, and since then, the crew has undergone extensive training to prepare for the mission. Isaacman, who previously commanded the all-civilian Inspiration4 mission in 2021, will once again take the helm as mission commander. Joining him are pilot Scott Poteet, a retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. and close friend of Isaacman, and SpaceX employees Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, both of whom are lead operations engineers.
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The mission will take place aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, Resilience, which will be launched into orbit by a Falcon 9 rocket. The crew’s primary objectives include conducting around 40 scientific experiments, testing new space suits designed by SpaceX, and performing the first commercial spacewalk.
Intensive Training Regimen
The Polaris Dawn crew has undergone one of the most rigorous training regimens ever experienced by civilian astronauts. The preparation included approximately 2,000 hours in a flight simulator, centrifuge sessions to simulate the intense G-forces of space travel, scuba diving, skydiving, and even scaling the Cotopaxi volcano in Ecuador. According to Poteet, the training was among the most challenging he has ever faced, even after 20 years as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force.
This extensive preparation is crucial, as the crew will be venturing farther from Earth than any space crew since the Apollo lunar missions. The mission aims to reach an altitude of 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) above Earth, which is significantly higher than the International Space Station’s orbit at 400 kilometers.
First Commercial Spacewalk
The centerpiece of the Polaris Dawn mission is the first commercial spacewalk, scheduled to take place on the third day of the mission. The spacewalk will be broadcast live, providing a rare glimpse into life outside the spacecraft in the vacuum of space. Due to the lack of an airlock on the Dragon capsule, the entire spacecraft will be exposed to space when the hatch is opened. Two crew members will venture outside at a time, with each pair taking turns to perform movements that will test the new space suits.
These suits, designed by SpaceX, are an upgraded version of the ones previously used by the company. They are built to withstand extreme temperatures and are equipped with cameras to capture the experience. Isaacman expressed excitement about the potential future use of these suits, noting that they could be worn by astronauts walking on Mars.
Looking Ahead
Polaris Dawn is just the beginning of a broader vision for the future of space exploration. The mission will be followed by a second Polaris mission, and the program’s third mission is planned to be the first crewed flight of SpaceX’s Starship rocket, which is currently under development. Starship is designed for deep space exploration, with the ultimate goal of enabling human missions to the Moon and Mars.
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Isaacman, who has played a pivotal role in advancing private space travel, emphasized the importance of the private sector in unlocking the final frontier. He hopes that these missions will inspire future generations to explore and discover the vast possibilities that space holds.
“We haven’t even scratched the surface yet,” Isaacman said. “There’s so much to go out and explore and discover along the way.”