SpaceX, in collaboration with billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, is set to launch the groundbreaking Polaris Dawn mission no earlier than August 26, 2024. This mission marks a significant milestone in the era of commercial spaceflight, as it will attempt the first-ever commercial spacewalk and reach the highest Earth orbit ever flown.

The Polaris Program

Polaris Dawn is the first mission in the Polaris Program, a series of three planned SpaceX flights funded by Isaacman. The program seeks to demonstrate critical capabilities that will serve as building blocks for future human exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Each mission will push the boundaries of human spaceflight while raising funds and awareness for important causes on Earth, such as childhood cancer research through St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The Crew

The Polaris Dawn crew consists of four members, all with extensive experience in their respective fields:

• Jared Isaacman (Mission Commander): Isaacman, the CEO of Shift4 Payments, has a background in aviation and previously commanded the Inspiration4 mission, the first all-civilian mission to orbit.
• Scott Poteet (Pilot): Poteet is a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel with over 3,200 flight hours and 400 combat hours.
• Sarah Gillis (Mission Specialist): Gillis is a Lead Space Operations Engineer at SpaceX, with experience in astronaut training and mission support.
• Anna Menon (Mission Specialist): Menon, also a Lead Space Operations Engineer at SpaceX, has supported multiple cargo and crew missions to the International Space Station.

Mission Objectives

Record-Breaking Orbit

Polaris Dawn will fly higher than any Dragon mission to date, reaching an orbit of approximately 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) above Earth. This altitude will take the crew through portions of the Van Allen radiation belts, allowing them to study the effects of space radiation on human health and spaceflight systems.

First Commercial Spacewalk

During the mission, Isaacman and Gillis will attempt the first commercial spacewalk using newly designed SpaceX EVA spacesuits. This milestone will pave the way for future long-duration missions and the development of a scalable spacesuit design.

Scientific Research

The crew will conduct approximately 40 scientific experiments during the five-day mission, focusing on human health and the effects of spaceflight on the human body. The research will be conducted in partnership with various institutions, including NASA, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and several universities.

Vehicle and Hardware

The mission will utilize a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, which has been modified to include a nose hatch called a “skywalker” to facilitate the spacewalk. The Dragon capsule will be launched atop a flight-proven Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A.

The crew will wear SpaceX’s newly designed EVA spacesuits during the spacewalk. These suits have been upgraded from the current intravehicular (IVA) suits to withstand the harsh environment of space.

Current Status and Launch Date

Polaris Dawn is currently scheduled to launch no earlier than August 26, 2024. The mission has faced several delays due to the ambitious nature of its objectives and the development of new hardware, such as the EVA spacesuits.

SpaceX recently returned to flight following an anomaly during a Starlink mission in July 2024, which had temporarily grounded the Falcon 9 rocket. With the investigation complete and the issue resolved, SpaceX is now prepared to proceed with the Polaris Dawn launch.

Summary

The Polaris Dawn mission represents a significant step forward in the commercialization of space and the advancement of human spaceflight capabilities. By attempting the first commercial spacewalk, reaching a record-breaking orbit, and conducting crucial scientific research, this mission will lay the foundation for future long-duration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

As the launch date approaches, the world eagerly awaits the historic achievements that the Polaris Dawn crew and SpaceX are poised to accomplish. The success of this mission will not only inspire future generations of space explorers but also demonstrate the immense potential of public-private partnerships in pushing the boundaries of human spaceflight.