Jared Isaacman, the billionaire entrepreneur known for his participation in the Inspiration4 mission, is gearing up for another space adventure. This time, he and SpaceX are embarking on a mission called Polaris Dawn, which promises to push the boundaries of space exploration even further.
One of the most exciting aspects of the Polaris Dawn mission is its destination. The spacecraft will travel farther than any previous mission using SpaceX’s Dragon capsule. In fact, it will venture into portions of the Van Allen radiation belt, a feat that hasn’t been attempted since the Apollo missions. This presents a unique opportunity to study the effects of radiation on human health, which is crucial for future deep space exploration.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there. When the crew reaches an altitude of 700 kilometers above Earth, they will attempt the first-ever commercial spacewalk. This will not only test the Dragon capsule’s capability to support extravehicular activities (EVAs), but it will also give SpaceX’s new EVA suits a chance to shine. These suits have been specifically designed for the vacuum of space and feature upgrades such as thermal material boots, a heads-up display, and enhanced mobile joints. As SpaceX aims to build permanent bases on the moon and Mars, these suits will play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and mobility of future astronauts.
The Dragon spacecraft itself has undergone upgrades to accommodate the upcoming spacewalk. All four crew members will be wearing the EVA suits, even though only two will actually venture outside the spacecraft. To enable this, SpaceX has enhanced the life support systems of the Dragon, including increasing the oxygen supply and adding a new nitrogen repressurization system. The crew members will be connected to umbilical cords for life support, similar to NASA astronauts on the International Space Station.
In addition to the spacewalk, the Polaris Dawn mission will test Starlink laser-based communications in space. This technology will allow the crew to connect directly to the Starlink satellite constellation from the spacecraft. The mission will also involve conducting various science experiments and research, with the crew members themselves as the subjects. One particular focus is studying the effects of radiation on human health while passing through the Van Allen belt. This knowledge will be invaluable for future missions to Mars, where maintaining good health is crucial.
Joining Jared Isaacman on the Polaris Dawn mission are three other individuals. Mission pilot Scott “Kidd” Poteet, a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, will provide his expertise in flying and navigating the spacecraft. Two SpaceX employees, mission specialist Sarah Gillis and mission specialist Anna Menon, will bring their engineering and medical skills to the mission. Gillis is an engineer and astronaut trainer, while Menon is a medical officer and runs the company’s mission control for its flights.
The Polaris Dawn mission is scheduled to launch on August 27 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The crew will spend up to five days in space, reaching a maximum distance of 1,400 kilometers from Earth. The mission will conclude with a splashdown off the coast of Florida. Those interested can watch the live stream of the launch on X.
As former NASA official and current SpaceX VP William Gerstenmaier stated during a press conference, “It’s time to explore.” The Polaris Dawn mission represents a significant step forward in commercial space exploration and brings us one step closer to realizing SpaceX’s vision of making life multiplanetary. Through daring missions like this, we are gaining valuable knowledge and pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve in space.