SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission launched with first private spacewalk and record-breaking altitude in orbit around Earth, conducting advanced science experiments and contributing to childhood cancer research
This morning, September 10, 2024, SpaceX launched the Polaris Dawn mission, featuring billionaire Jared Isaacman and three other crew members, for a five-day space mission that will include the first private spacewalk in history. The mission is the first of three missions planned as part of SpaceX's Polaris program, created by Isaacman, who is also funding the current mission. The launch was carried out on a Falcon 9 rocket and the Crew Dragon Resilience capsule, which is completing its third flight into space.
The team and the purpose of the mission
Four crew members participate in the mission: Jared Isaacman as the mission commander, Scott "Kid" Potitt, a retired US Air Force colonel, as the pilot; Sarah Gillis, lead engineer at SpaceX for astronaut training, as a mission specialist; Vana Menon, chief crew operations engineer at SpaceX, as a mission specialist and medical officer.
main objectives of the mission
- First private spacewalk - Isaacman and Gillis will leave the Dragon capsule for a historic spacewalk on September 12, 2024, during which they will use unique space suits developed by SpaceX.
- New runway height – The crew will reach the highest orbit achieved by a manned mission since Apollo 17 in 1972, breaking the record for altitude in a circle around the Earth set by the Gemini XI mission in 1966.
- Spacecraft-to-spacecraft communication via Starlink - The mission will conduct a first-of-its-kind experiment in direct communication between the Dragon capsule and satellites of SpaceX's Starlink network, which enables internet service from space.
- scientific experiments - The team will perform over 40 scientific experiments, including examining the effect of high levels of radiation in the Van Allen belts on the astronauts' health, and other experiments related to motion sickness in space, a problem that affects 60-80% of the astronauts.
- The team will test advanced space suits specially developed by SpaceX, which also allow movement outside the spacecraft in harsh space conditions. Also, team members have access to better quality food, including sandwiches, pizzas and empanadas, alongside snacks.
Contribution to science and society
The mission also aims to raise funds for St. Jude's Research Hospital, which treats children with cancer. As with Isaacman's previous mission, Inspiration4, which was the first civilian mission to space, this time too the goal is to raise tens of millions of dollars for the cause.
