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A team of four civilian astronauts is currently orbiting our planet aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft after a successful launch from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center early Tuesday morning.
The Polaris Dawn mission, spanning five days, is generating significant excitement, especially since Isaacman and Gillis are poised to perform the first-ever commercial spacewalk, potentially starting as soon as Thursday. This mission marks a historic moment, as it will be the first instance of human astronauts exiting a Crew Dragon spacecraft into the vacuum of space, unlike previous missions that typically involved docking with the International Space Station (ISS).
During the spacewalk, Isaacman and Gillis aim to conduct an in-orbit test of new SpaceX-designed extravehicular activity (EVA) suits, which promise enhanced mobility and comfort compared to existing intravehicular (IVA) suits. The development of these suits is part of preparations for upcoming missions to the Moon and Mars.
The Crew Dragon will ascend to an altitude of 870 miles (1,400 kilometers) above Earth, reaching heights not seen since the Apollo program five decades ago, significantly above the ISS’s orbit, which is approximately 250 miles (402 kilometers) up.
This mission will also allow the crew to test Starlink’s laser communication technology in space, which could provide essential insights for future communications on missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
In addition, the crew will engage in various research projects, including studying health and human performance for NASA’s Human Research Program.
According to NASA, “The research will help scientists understand the effects of space conditions on the human body.” The crew will explore new medical technologies and techniques related to telemedicine, investigate space motion sickness, and assess risks related to injuries in flight.
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