SpaceX is about to make history with its Polaris Dawn mission, which plans the first commercial spacewalk. Launching on August 26, the mission will see four astronauts enter uncharted territory, venturing higher than humans have gone since the Apollo era.
CEO Elon Musk is visibly excited, tweeting, "First SpaceX spacewalk mission launches in a week. This will be epic.”
The Polaris Dawn team includes mission commander Jared Isaacman, who is fully funding this venture and has previously flown on SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission. He is joined by mission pilot Scott Poteet, along with SpaceX engineers Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis.
Set to orbit at altitudes reaching 1,200 kilometers, this mission aims to push the boundaries of human space travel. According to Isaacman, they will even enter the South Atlantic Anomaly, exposing themselves to increased radiation.
The spacewalk itself will occur on the third day of their mission, where Isaacman and Gillis will step outside their capsule, known as 'Resilience,' aided by Poteet and Menon who will monitor the operation from inside. This two-hour long spacewalk will mark the first using new spacesuits specially crafted by SpaceX.
Isaacman noted, "We want to learn as much as we can about the suit and the operation as possible, but we only have so much oxygen and nitrogen to work with." The mission presents the unique opportunity to test the suit's capabilities during actual space conditions.
This mission is not just about the thrill of the experience for the astronauts involved; it serves as groundwork for future missions. Isaacman envisions two more missions following Polaris Dawn, which will focus on developing technologies necessary for long-term space exploration.
Critically, Polaris Dawn stands as both an exploration and research mission. The crew is set to conduct around 40 scientific experiments during their stay, broadening the knowledge necessary for future private spaceflight endeavors.
Unlike prior space tourism missions focused on luxury experiences, Polaris Dawn symbolizes the growing trend of commercial enterprises stepping beyond Earth’s lower orbit. This shift may alter how we view human presence beyond our planet.
The astronauts will enter the Dragon spacecraft, where training and preparation continue until launch. Each team member will be tasked with various roles to monitor systems and safety during their historic flight.
Isaacman admitted after Inspiration4 he initially believed he would not return to space, saying, “We kind of checked every one of the boxes we set out to achieve.” His view changed as he realized the possibilities awaiting the future of private space exploration.
With SpaceX's reputation for innovation and reliability, expectations are high leading up to this mission. The upcoming launch will also draw significant media attention, showcasing the capabilities of commercial space travel.
The Polaris Dawn mission also serves as inspiration for many aspiring astronauts and scientists. With the first commercial spacewalk, it invites others to dream of their own journeys among the stars.
Earlier this month, SpaceX unveiled its latest spacesuit designs, marking improvements to functionality and efficiency. Such advancements could play pivotal roles not only for Polaris Dawn but potentially for future missions to Mars or beyond.
Recent advancements highlight the importance of private industry involvement alongside traditional space agencies, upholding the belief of many experts: the future of space exploration relies on innovation and collaboration. Private missions are paving the way for more extensive exploration, transforming what was once purely the domain of governmental space agencies.
This first commercial spacewalk pushes the envelope, forging paths for future astronauts. It asks one pressing question: how far can we really go?
While the mission is ambitious, the Polaris Dawn team remains focused and optimistic. They leave Earth aiming high, both literally and figuratively.
Once the launch begins, all eyes will be on the Polaris Dawn mission, ready to witness history being made. Following the footsteps of storied voyages, these astronauts will become pioneers of commercial spaceflight.
