The upcoming Polaris Dawn mission is about to make history by attempting the first private spacewalk ever. Led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, this SpaceX mission is not only ambitious but also reflective of the rapid evolution of private space exploration.
Set to launch on August 26 from Florida's Kennedy Space Center, Polaris Dawn is the inaugural mission of Isaacman’s Polaris Program, which includes three separate flights purchased from SpaceX. "We don’t get the freedom of any time of day to launch but I think it’ll work out to [be] pretty close to dawn, which is very appropriate for the mission," Isaacman stated, hinting at the symbolic nature of the timing.
Isaacman will once again take command, having previously led the historic Inspiration4 mission, which was the first all-civilian spaceflight. He will be joined by veteran pilot Scott Poteet, alongside SpaceX crew members Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis, who will serve as the medical officer and mission specialist, respectively.
Despite the elaborate plans, the Polaris Dawn mission does not target a specific celestial destination; instead, it aims to trace orbits well above Earth. "We’re going to very high altitudes not seen since the last NASA missions over 50 years ago," Isaacman shared, emphasizing the mission's groundbreaking nature.
The centerpiece of the Polaris Dawn mission is the planned extravehicular activity (EVA) or spacewalk. While NASA astronauts have undertaken EVAs for various operational needs, this mission marks the first ever attempted by a private crew, which adds to its significance.
Isaacman expressed the immense preparation required for such a feat, stating, “We’ll be surrounded by death,” referring to the inherent risks of spacewalking. The crew has been using vacuum chambers for training, mimicking the extreme conditions of outer space to acclimatize themselves physically and psychologically before venturing outside the capsule.
The Polaris Dawn mission spans five days, with comprehensive objectives scheduled for each day. On the first day, the crew will evaluate conditions to minimize risks from debris as they ascend to their planned orbit.
Once they achieve their targeted altitude of over 1,400 kilometers, the team will conduct detailed checks on the SpaceX Dragon capsule, ensuring everything is operating flawlessly for the critical spacewalk the following day. "It’s really important to know the vehicle has no faults before going up to 1,400 kilometers," Isaacman emphasized.
The second day involves conducting scientific research, which includes preparing for the EVA and testing the new spacesuits. All these extensive preparations aim to answer questions about their functionality and performance under microgravity.
Come day three, excitement will peak as the crew engages in the long-anticipated spacewalk, expected to last approximately two hours. "This is really about us learning as much as we can about the suit and the operation," said Isaacman, highlighting the experimental nature of the undertaking.
Two crew members, Isaacman and Gillis, will venture outside, with Poteet and Menon on standby inside, monitoring the situation. To showcase this remarkable event, Polaris Dawn plans to livestream the spacewalk, packing the capsule with cameras to capture every moment during this groundbreaking endeavor.
The EVA suits themselves are groundbreaking, built from extensive testing and iterations based on SpaceX’s minimalist intravehicular suits. "Everything is about building the next generation," Isaacman remarked on the multifaceted design process aimed at enhancing safety and functionality for future astronauts.
The Polaris Dawn mission also falls within the broader context of significant investments reshaping the future of space exploration. Lockheed Martin's recent acquisition of Terran Orbital for $450 million exemplifies how traditional players are stepping up to merge resources with new entrants.
Economic discussions surrounding the mission are also gaining traction, as upcoming symposiums focus on NASA's substantial contributions to job creation and productivity through public investment. Such dialogue reinforces the idea of synergizing private ventures like Polaris Dawn with government-backed scientific exploration.
The Polaris Dawn mission emphasizes human adaptability and ingenuity within the commercial space sector, paving the way for more routine missions beyond regular boundaries. With every milestone achieved, it sets the stage for future long-duration missions, including potential journeys to Mars.
Like its predecessors, this mission is likely to inspire future generations. Isaacman hopes the Polaris Dawn experience will resonate with individuals and motivate them to dream big about what is possible beyond Earth.
By building upon existing knowledge through public-private partnerships, Polaris Dawn exemplifies the joint effort needed to push the envelope of human spaceflight. The mission's collaborative structure provides new insights on how to make space more accessible and sustainable as aspirations for interplanetary exploration grow.
Overall, the excitement surrounding Polaris Dawn signifies not only a leap for commercial space travel but also for humanity’s quest for exploration beyond our home planet. How this mission will shape future endeavors remains to be seen as they prepare to take off.
