On September 10, 2024, the highly anticipated Polaris Dawn mission successfully launched, marking a significant milestone in private spaceflight. Led by billionaire entrepreneur and mission commander Jared Isaacman, this ambitious mission has already begun to achieve several historic firsts and conduct groundbreaking research. This article reviews 10 of the most fascinating aspects of the Polaris Dawn mission that has captured the world’s attention.

1. Record-Breaking Altitude
   Polaris Dawn will reach an orbit of 870 miles (1,400 km) above Earth, setting a new record for the highest Earth orbit ever flown by a crewed mission. This surpasses the 853-mile (1,373 km) record set by Gemini 11 in 1966 and represents the farthest humans have been from Earth since the Apollo missions.
2. First Commercial Spacewalk
   The mission has successfully completed the first-ever commercial spacewalk using SpaceX-designed EVA suits. This historic milestone will be performed by mission commander Jared Isaacman and specialist Sarah Gillis.
3. Studying Space Radiation Effects
   By orbiting through portions of the Van Allen radiation belts, the crew is conducting research to better understand the effects of space radiation on human health. The crew’s radiation exposure over the mission duration is equivalent to 3 months on the ISS.
4. Testing Starlink Communications
   Polaris Dawn is the first mission to test SpaceX’s Starlink laser-based communications system in space, providing valuable data for future missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
5. Groundbreaking Medical Research
   The crew is performing over 36 scientific experiments to advance understanding of human health in spaceflight, including using ultrasound to monitor for decompression sickness, studying how the eyes and vision respond to microgravity, and providing biological samples for a Biobank.
6. All-Private Crew
   The mission has no professional astronauts, with the crew consisting of a billionaire businessman, a fighter pilot, and two SpaceX employees. This represents the emergence of an era where spaceflight is increasingly accessible to civilians.
7. Ambitious Launch & Planned Splashdown
   Launched from Kennedy Space Center, the Crew Dragon reached speeds over 17,500 mph (28,200 km/h) to achieve orbit. The precise timing of reentry and splashdown will be important due to the limited life support following the spacewalk.
8. Next-Gen Spacesuits in Action
   The new SpaceX-designed EVA suits that will be used on the spacewalk are expected to be more mobile, streamlined and scalable compared to NASA’s EMU suits. The successful use of these suits is key for future Moon and Mars missions.
9. Billionaire-Funded Program
   Polaris Dawn is the first of up to 3 private missions in the Polaris Program, all purchased by billionaire Jared Isaacman. This marks the beginning of an era where wealthy individuals can commission their own space programs.
10. Overcoming Launch Challenges
    Despite facing multiple delays due to technical issues and weather, including a recent Falcon 9 rocket malfunction on another mission, the successful launch of Polaris Dawn represents a major accomplishment for SpaceX and private spaceflight.

The Polaris Dawn mission is captivating in its ambition to break records, conduct innovative research, and push the boundaries of private spaceflight. Its historic firsts and the emergence of an all-civilian crew have ushered in a new era of human spaceflight, with the eyes of the world watching as the mission continues to unfold.