SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission successfully launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on September 10. This six-day mission will see two astronauts, Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis, undertake the first privately managed spacewalk. The mission, carried out in the Crew Dragon capsule named Resilience, is part of the Polaris program, which includes two additional planned missions.
During the mission, Isaacman and Gillis will perform a tethered spacewalk on the third day, marking a significant milestone in private space exploration. The Crew Dragon capsule will orbit Earth at approximately 1,367 kilometers, far beyond the International Space Station’s altitude of about 400 kilometers. This distance will expose the crew to higher radiation levels, prompting the spacewalk to be conducted at a lower altitude for safety.
The Polaris Dawn mission also serves as a critical test for SpaceX’s new spacesuits, designed for extravehicular activity (EVA). The Crew Dragon capsule lacks an airlock, meaning all crew members will rely on their suits during the spacewalk. The mission will provide valuable data on the suits’ performance and safety. Isaacman, who previously led the Inspiration4 mission, has financed this ambitious venture and will command the flight.
Following Polaris Dawn, Isaacman plans two more Polaris program missions, including a flight on SpaceX’s next-generation Starship rocket. This mission highlights the growing role of private companies in space exploration and sets the stage for future lunar and Martian missions. As noted by experts, successful completion of Polaris Dawn will demonstrate the evolving capabilities of private space missions.
