Key Takeaways

• Polaris Dawn reached 1,400 km, the highest Earth orbit since 1972, validating commercial deep-space capabilities.
• The first commercial spacewalk successfully tested next-generation EVA suits featuring novel mobility and display tech.
• Advanced medical research and Starlink laser tests demonstrated new protocols for future long-duration missions.

Introduction to the Polaris Initiative

The landscape of aerospace exploration is undergoing a fundamental shift, moving from an era defined solely by government agencies to one increasingly driven by private enterprise. At the forefront of this transition stands the Polaris Program, a privately funded human spaceflight initiative organized by billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman. Announced in early 2022, the program was conceived as a series of three missions designed to rapidly advance human spaceflight capabilities, test new technologies, and conduct extensive scientific research. The initiative builds directly upon the achievements of Inspiration4, the world’s first all-civilian mission to orbit, which Isaacman commanded in 2021.

While Inspiration4 focused on demonstrating that private citizens could safely orbit Earth and raise funds for charitable causes, the Polaris Program adopts a more aggressive developmental posture. It serves as a testing ground for the hardware and operational procedures necessary to support future missions to the Moon and Mars. The program utilizes SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft for its initial flights, with the ultimate objective of transitioning to the massive Starship vehicle for its final mission. This progression mirrors the broader industry’s trajectory toward larger, fully reusable launch systems capable of transporting significant numbers of people to deep space destinations.

The program’s significance lies not just in its funding model but in its operational complexity. Unlike space tourism ventures that offer brief suborbital hops or short stays aboard orbital outposts with established infrastructure, Polaris missions function as independent, free-flying expeditions. They target high-risk objectives – such as traversing radiation belts and conducting extravehicular activities (EVAs) without an airlock – that push the technical boundaries of current commercial spacecraft. The data harvested from these flights informs the engineering of future life support systems, spacesuits, and communication networks, effectively reducing the risk profile for the explorers who will eventually follow.

The Genesis and Vision of Polaris

To understand the Polaris Program, it is necessary to examine the motivations of its founder, Jared Isaacman. The CEO of Shift4, a payment processing company, Isaacman is also an accomplished jet pilot with a background in operating ex-military aircraft through his former company, Draken International. His approach to spaceflight is characterized by a “test pilot” mentality, favoring calculated risk-taking to accelerate technological maturation. Following the success of Inspiration4, which raised over $250 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Isaacman sought to structure a new series of missions that would contribute directly to SpaceX’s long-term goal of making humanity multi-planetary.

The Polaris Program was structured as a trilogy. Mission I, named Polaris Dawn, was designed to test the limits of the Crew Dragon spacecraft and validate a new generation of spacesuits. Mission II was intended to expand upon these capabilities and potentially service existing space assets. Mission III was designated as the first crewed flight of Starship, SpaceX’s next-generation super-heavy launch vehicle.

This structured approach allows for iterative development. Technologies tested on Polaris Dawn, such as the EVA suit and laser communications, are essential precursors for the operations envisioned for Starship. The program operates in close partnership with SpaceX, with the company gaining valuable flight data and the program benefiting from the company’s rapid engineering cycles. Additionally, the program maintains a strong philanthropic element, continuing the fundraising efforts for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital initiated during Inspiration4.

Mission I: Polaris Dawn – A Detailed Operational Analysis

The first mission of the program, Polaris Dawn, launched on September 10, 2024, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch vehicle was a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket, and the spacecraft was the Crew Dragon Resilience, a vehicle with a storied history having previously flown the Crew-1 and Inspiration4 missions. The five-day mission was arguably the most ambitious commercial spaceflight attempted to date, targeting a series of “firsts” that carried significant technical risk.

Orbital Mechanics and the Apogee Raise

Following a successful insertion into low Earth orbit, the crew initiated a series of orbital maneuvers designed to raise their altitude significantly. The mission profile called for an elliptical orbit with an apogee (highest point) of approximately 1,408 kilometers (875 miles). This altitude is notable for two reasons. First, it represents the highest Earth orbit achieved by a crewed spacecraft since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, surpassing the record set by Gemini 11 in 1966. Second, and more importantly for the mission’s scientific objectives, this altitude took the spacecraft deep into the inner Van Allen radiation belt.

The Van Allen belts are zones of energetic charged particles – protons and electrons – captured by Earth’s magnetic field. Most human spaceflight, including the International Space Station (ISS) and Hubble Space Telescope missions, occurs well below these belts to protect crew and electronics from radiation damage. By deliberately traversing this region, Polaris Dawn exposed its crew and systems to a radiation environment unlike any encountered in routine low Earth orbit operations. The total radiation dose received by the crew over the five-day mission was approximately equivalent to what an astronaut would receive during a three-month stay on the ISS. This exposure provided a unique opportunity to validate radiation hardening of the spacecraft’s avionics and to study the biological effects of high-energy particle radiation on the human body.

The spacecraft remained in this highly elliptical orbit for approximately 10 hours, completing six revolutions around the Earth. During this phase, the crew conducted specific experiments designed to measure the radiation environment inside the capsule and its physiological impacts. Following this high-apogee phase, the Draco thrusters were fired to lower the orbit to approximately 190 by 700 kilometers. This lower altitude was selected for the mission’s centerpiece event: the first commercial spacewalk.

The Crew of Polaris Dawn

The four-person crew was selected to provide a mix of operational experience and technical expertise.

This crew composition marked a departure from the “tourist” model. Both Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon are senior SpaceX engineers who played key roles in developing the astronaut training programs for NASA crews. Their inclusion signaled a move toward “corporate astronauts” – employees of aerospace companies flying to space to test the hardware they helped develop.

The First Commercial Extravehicular Activity (EVA)

On the third day of the mission, the Polaris Dawn crew executed the first commercial spacewalk. This operation was distinct from standard NASA or Roscosmos spacewalks in several engineering and operational aspects.

The Challenge of No Airlock

The International Space Station utilizes dedicated airlocks (the U.S. Quest airlock and Russian Poisk module) to allow astronauts to exit the vehicle without venting the entire station’s atmosphere. The Crew Dragon spacecraft does not possess an airlock. To perform the EVA, the entire cabin had to be depressurized, exposing all four crew members to the vacuum of space. This required every person on board to wear a pressurized EVA suit, regardless of whether they were physically exiting the hatch.

This “stand-up” EVA profile is reminiscent of the early Gemini program spacewalks. It introduces significant complexity, as the interior of the spacecraft – including displays, seats, and life support hardware – must be rated to survive vacuum exposure and extreme temperature swings. Materials had to be selected carefully to ensure they would not off-gas toxic substances or degrade when the pressure dropped to zero.

Decompression Sickness Mitigation: The 45-Hour Pre-Breathe

A major physiological risk in spacewalks is decompression sickness (DCS), commonly known as “the bends.” This occurs when nitrogen dissolved in the blood forms bubbles as external pressure drops, potentially causing severe pain, paralysis, or death. To mitigate this, the crew underwent a rigorous 45-hour pre-breathe protocol beginning shortly after launch.

During this period, the cabin pressure was gradually lowered from sea-level pressure (14.7 psi) to a lower intermediate pressure, while the oxygen concentration in the breathing atmosphere was increased. This process slowly purged nitrogen from the astronauts’ tissues, replacing it with oxygen. The gradual nature of the protocol was designed to minimize the risk of bubble formation during the final depressurization to vacuum.

The SpaceX EVA Suit: Technical Specifications

The success of the spacewalk relied heavily on the performance of the newly developed SpaceX EVA suit. Evolved from the IVA (Intravehicular Activity) suit used for launch and reentry, the EVA suit was engineered to be a primary life support vessel in the harsh environment of space.

Material Engineering:

The suit’s outer layer is constructed from a proprietary flame-resistant stretch fabric that incorporates Nomex and Teflon. These materials provide thermal insulation and protection against micrometeoroid abrasion. High-wear areas, particularly the boots, utilize thermal materials originally developed for the Falcon 9 interstage and the Dragon trunk, capable of withstanding extreme temperature variations.

Mobility and Joint Design:

Traditional spacesuits, like NASA’s EMU, are bulky and rigid, making movement difficult. The SpaceX EVA suit features novel rotator joints and soft-structure mobility systems that allow the wearer to move their arms and wrists relatively freely even when the suit is pressurized to 5.1 psi. These joints use semi-rigid structures to prevent the suit from “ballooning” and becoming stiff, a common issue with pressurized garments.

Heads-Up Display (HUD):

A significant innovation in the suit is the helmet, which includes a built-in Heads-Up Display (HUD). This display projects real-time data directly into the astronaut’s field of view, including suit pressure, temperature, and humidity levels. This eliminates the need for wrist-mounted checklists or gauges, allowing the astronaut to monitor their status without looking away from their tasks. The helmet also features a visor coated with copper and indium tin oxide, providing shielding against solar radiation and glare.

Life Support Architecture:

Unlike the ISS EMU suits, which carry a bulky backpack with a self-contained life support system, the SpaceX EVA suit operates on an umbilical system. A 12-foot umbilical cord connects the suit to the spacecraft, providing a constant flow of oxygen, power for the avionics, and a data link for communications. This design choice reduces the complexity and weight of the suit but tethers the astronaut to the vehicle, limiting their range of motion to the immediate vicinity of the hatch.

Execution of the Spacewalk

The EVA operation began with the final venting of the cabin atmosphere. Once the pressure reached vacuum, the forward hatch of the Dragon spacecraft was opened. This hatch was equipped with a custom-built mobility aid called “Skywalker” – a structure of rails and handholds designed to help the astronauts stabilize themselves as they emerged.

Jared Isaacman, designated EV1, exited the hatch first. He did not float freely into space but maintained contact with the Skywalker structure, performing a series of mobility tests to evaluate the suit’s range of motion. These tests included arm rotations, reaching motions, and vertical movements to verify the performance of the new joints. He spent approximately eight minutes outside.

Following Isaacman’s return to the interior, Sarah Gillis (EV2) exited the hatch. She performed a similar series of tests, validating the suit’s performance for a person of a different body size. This data is critical for SpaceX’s goal of creating a scalable suit design that can be mass-produced for future crews of varying physical statures. Gillis spent approximately seven minutes outside.

Throughout the operation, Scott Poteet and Anna Menon managed the umbilical cords from inside the capsule, ensuring they did not become tangled or snagged. They also monitored the life support telemetry for all four suits. The entire EVA, from the opening of the hatch to its closure and the beginning of repressurization, lasted approximately 26 minutes.

Revolutionizing Space Communications: The Starlink Laser Link

Beyond the physical feats of the spacewalk, Polaris Dawn achieved a major milestone in space communications. The mission conducted the first crewed test of laser inter-satellite links using the Starlink constellation.

The “Plug and Plaser” Terminal

Traditional spacecraft communication relies on radio frequency (RF) links to ground stations or relay satellites like NASA’s TDRS. These systems can be bandwidth-limited and often experience coverage gaps. To address this, SpaceX installed a “Plug and Plaser” optical terminal in the trunk of the Crew Dragon. This device uses laser beams to transmit data to nearby Starlink satellites, which then relay the signal to Earth.

Performance Metrics

The laser link system demonstrated exceptional performance during the mission. It achieved download speeds exceeding 100 Mbps and latency (the time it takes for data to travel) of less than 50 milliseconds. This is a dramatic improvement over typical space-to-ground connections, which often struggle with high latency and lower bandwidth. The system allowed for continuous connectivity even when the spacecraft was not within the line of sight of a ground station.

“Harmony of Resilience”

The capabilities of this system were showcased in a poignant moment when Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, a classically trained violinist, performed “Rey’s Theme” by John Williams inside the capsule. The performance, titled “Harmony of Resilience,” was transmitted to Earth in high definition with minimal delay. The video was synchronized with recordings of youth orchestras from around the world, creating a global collaborative performance. This event not only demonstrated the technical stability of the Starlink connection but also served as a fundraising mechanism for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

A Comprehensive Scientific Research Portfolio

While the EVA and high altitude garnered the headlines, the core of the Polaris Dawn mission was a robust scientific research campaign. The crew conducted 38 experiments selected from 23 partner institutions, including the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH), Baylor College of Medicine, and Weill Cornell Medicine.

Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS)

One of the most pressing health risks for long-duration spaceflight is Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS). In microgravity, fluids shift toward the head, increasing intracranial pressure. This can cause the shape of the eyeball to change and the optic nerve to flatten, leading to vision impairment.

To study this, the Polaris Dawn crew wore “smart” contact lenses embedded with micro-sensors that continuously measured intraocular pressure. This data provided researchers with a dynamic view of how pressure changes over time, rather than just single-point measurements taken before and after flight. Additionally, immediately upon return to Earth, the crew underwent MRI scans. These scans revealed that even after a short five-day mission, some crew members experienced an upward shift in brain position and enlargement of the brain’s ventricles. This finding suggests that neuro-structural adaptation to microgravity happens much faster than previously understood.

Decompression Sickness and VGE Monitoring

The unique pressure profile of the mission – specifically the depressurization for the EVA – provided an opportunity to study decompression sickness (DCS). The crew used the Butterfly iQ+ portable ultrasound device to scan themselves for Venous Gas Emboli (VGE). VGE are tiny nitrogen bubbles that form in the bloodstream during pressure drops. By monitoring for VGE, researchers could validate the effectiveness of the 45-hour pre-breathe protocol. The data indicated that the protocol was successful in preventing significant bubble formation, validating the procedure for future missions.

The “Space Omics” Biobank

The mission contributed significantly to the field of “Space Omics” – the study of biological molecules in space. The crew collected biological samples (blood, urine, saliva) before, during, and after the flight. Analysis of these samples identified over 1,000 proteins that were significantly altered post-flight. Many of these proteins are related to immune system signaling and stress responses, providing clues as to why astronauts often experience suppressed immunity in orbit. This data has been added to a biobank accessible to researchers worldwide.

Pharmacokinetics in Space

A novel study examined how the human body processes medications in microgravity. The “Pharmacokinetics” experiment involved the crew taking standard medications and monitoring their concentration in the blood over time. Results showed that for certain drugs, the concentration in the blood was higher in space than on Earth for the same dose. This suggests that the body’s metabolism or absorption rates change in orbit, implying that dosage protocols for astronauts may need to be adjusted to avoid toxicity or inefficacy.

Mission II: Uncertainty and Evolving Objectives

Following the success of Polaris Dawn, attention turned to the second mission in the trilogy. Originally, this mission was poised to be even more ambitious, with a proposal to service the Hubble Space Telescope.

The Hubble Reboost Proposal

In 2022, SpaceX and the Polaris Program signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA to study the feasibility of a commercial mission to reboost Hubble. The telescope, launched in 1990, has been slowly losing altitude due to atmospheric drag. A reboost could extend its operational life by decades. The proposal involved a Crew Dragon spacecraft docking with or grappling the telescope and using its thrusters to raise Hubble’s orbit.

Rejection and Stalled Plans

However, in mid-2024, NASA formally rejected the plan. The agency cited several reasons for the decision. First, the risk of damaging the telescope during a commercial rendezvous – something never attempted by a Dragon capsule – was deemed too high. Second, the technical maturity of the proposed mechanisms for grappling the telescope was not sufficient to guarantee success. Unlike the Space Shuttle, which was designed with a robotic arm and airlock specifically for such servicing, Dragon would require significant modifications.

With the Hubble option off the table, the objectives for Mission II became unclear. As of late 2025, Jared Isaacman has indicated that the future of the program is “on hold” while the team evaluates new goals. The intention is to ensure that the second mission does not merely repeat the feats of Polaris Dawn but advances the technology further, perhaps by testing more advanced EVA capabilities or docking with other commercial assets.

Mission III: The Starship Frontier

The final mission of the Polaris Program is inextricably linked to the development of Starship, SpaceX’s massive, fully reusable launch system. Mission III is designated to be the first crewed flight of this vehicle.

Development Status of Starship

Throughout 2024 and 2025, Starship underwent an intensive flight test campaign from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas. While the vehicle achieved significant milestones, including successful orbital insertion and booster catching attempts, the path to a human-rated vehicle remains long. The life support systems, interior crew accommodations, and reliable reentry thermal protection systems required for human flight are still in development.

The Path to Certification

Unlike the Falcon 9 and Dragon, which were certified by NASA through a rigorous, multi-year process for ISS crew rotation, the certification for a commercial Starship flight is less defined. It is expected that Starship will need to complete a significant number of uncrewed cargo flights – potentially hundreds – before humans are permitted to board. Consequently, Polaris Mission III is not expected to launch until the late 2020s at the earliest. This mission represents the ultimate goal of the program: transitioning human spaceflight from capsule-based systems to large-scale spaceships capable of carrying dozens of people.

Broader Implications and Commercial Context

The Polaris Program operates within a rapidly evolving commercial space ecosystem. Its achievements have ripple effects that extend beyond the specific mission objectives.

Policy and Regulation

The “Athena” document controversy in late 2025 highlighted the intersection of commercial ambition and public policy. Following his nomination for NASA Administrator, a strategic blueprint attributed to Isaacman was leaked, proposing a radical restructuring of NASA to prioritize Mars exploration and commercial partnerships. While controversial, the document underscored the growing influence of private sector philosophy on national space policy. It suggests a future where government agencies may act more as customers and facilitators rather than the sole operators of space hardware.

Economic Impact

By funding the development of EVA suits and laser communication terminals, the Polaris Program is effectively subsidizing the R&D costs for technologies that SpaceX will eventually commercialize. The scalable EVA suit, for instance, is a critical product for SpaceX’s future service offerings, potentially allowing for commercial satellite repair missions or private space station construction.

Philanthropy

The program also set a new standard for integrating philanthropy with space exploration. The sale of mission memorabilia, such as the flown IWC watches and the “Kisses from Space” book authored by Anna Menon, generated substantial funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This model attempts to answer the perennial criticism of space spending by demonstrating a tangible benefit to causes on Earth.

Summary

The Polaris Program, through its inaugural mission Polaris Dawn, has successfully demonstrated that the commercial space sector is capable of executing complex, developmental missions that go far beyond tourism. By reaching record altitudes, performing the first commercial spacewalk, and validating critical technologies like the SpaceX EVA suit and Starlink laser links, the program has retired significant technical risks for future exploration.

While the path forward for Missions II and III faces uncertainty due to the rejection of the Hubble reboost and the developmental timeline of Starship, the legacy of Polaris Dawn is secure. It has provided the aerospace community with a wealth of physiological data, a proven EVA capability, and a blueprint for how private industry can drive the advancement of human spaceflight. As the data from the mission continues to be analyzed in the coming years, it will likely serve as a foundational reference for the architects of the next generation of lunar and Martian expeditions.

Appendix: Top 10 Questions Answered in This Article

1. What was the primary altitude achievement of the Polaris Dawn mission?

The Polaris Dawn mission reached an apogee of 1,408.1 kilometers (875 miles) above Earth. This altitude is significant as it is the highest Earth orbit flown by a crewed spacecraft since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, taking the crew through the inner Van Allen radiation belt.

2. How did the Polaris Dawn EVA differ from standard NASA spacewalks?

The Polaris Dawn spacewalk was a “stand-up” EVA where the entire Crew Dragon capsule was depressurized because it lacks an airlock. All four crew members wore pressurized suits and were exposed to the vacuum, whereas standard NASA spacewalks use an airlock to keep the remaining crew and station interior at normal pressure.

3. What new technology was introduced in the SpaceX EVA suit?

The SpaceX EVA suit introduced new thermal management textiles using Nomex and Teflon, a 3D-printed helmet with a Heads-Up Display (HUD) showing real-time suit data, and a copper and indium tin oxide coated visor for radiation protection. It also featured novel joint designs to maintain mobility while pressurized.

4. What scientific research was conducted regarding the human brain during the mission?

MRI scans performed after the mission revealed that some crew members experienced upward shifts in brain position and ventricular enlargement after just five days in microgravity. These findings indicate that the brain adapts structurally to the space environment much faster than previously understood.

5. Did the mission successfully test Starlink in space?

Yes, the mission successfully tested Starlink laser-based communications, achieving download speeds over 100 Mbps and latency under 50 milliseconds. This capability was demonstrated by transmitting a high-definition video of Sarah Gillis playing the violin in orbit.

6. Who were the crew members of Polaris Dawn?

The crew consisted of Commander Jared Isaacman, Pilot Scott “Kidd” Poteet, and Mission Specialists Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. Gillis and Menon are SpaceX engineers, making them the first employees of the company to fly to orbit.

7. Why was the Hubble Telescope reboost mission rejected for Polaris Mission II?

NASA rejected the proposal to use a Crew Dragon for a Hubble reboost in mid-2024 due to potential risks to the telescope and the lack of a mature technical plan for a commercial servicing mission. This decision left the objectives for the second Polaris mission undefined.

8. How did the crew prepare for decompression sickness before the spacewalk?

The crew underwent a 45-hour pre-breathe protocol. During this time, the cabin pressure was gradually lowered and oxygen levels increased to purge nitrogen from their bloodstreams, preventing the formation of gas bubbles in their tissues during the depressurization.

9. What is the “Skywalker” and how was it used?

The “Skywalker” is a mobility aid consisting of rails and handholds installed at the forward hatch of the Crew Dragon. It provided stability and support for Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis as they exited the spacecraft to perform mobility tests during the spacewalk.

10. What is the status of the third Polaris mission?

The third Polaris mission is planned to be the first crewed flight of SpaceX’s Starship. As of late 2025, the timeline is uncertain and likely several years away, dependent on the successful completion of Starship’s uncrewed flight test campaign and human rating certification.

Appendix: Top 10 Frequently Searched Questions Answered in This Article

1. How high did Polaris Dawn fly?

Polaris Dawn flew to an apogee of 1,408 kilometers (approximately 875 miles). This record-breaking altitude took the spacecraft into the inner regions of the Van Allen radiation belts.

2. Who performed the spacewalk on Polaris Dawn?

Commander Jared Isaacman and Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis performed the physical exit from the spacecraft. However, all four crew members, including Scott Poteet and Anna Menon, were exposed to the vacuum of space inside the depressurized capsule.

3. What violin song was played in space?

Sarah Gillis played “Rey’s Theme” from Star Wars: The Force Awakens by composer John Williams. The performance, titled “Harmony of Resilience,” was synchronized with orchestras on Earth and transmitted via Starlink.

4. Did the Polaris Dawn crew get radiation poisoning?

No, the crew did not get radiation poisoning, but they were exposed to higher levels of radiation than standard ISS missions. The total dosage over five days was roughly equivalent to three months on the International Space Station, which is within managed safety limits for astronauts.

5. How much did the Polaris Dawn mission cost?

The exact cost of the mission has not been publicly disclosed by SpaceX or Jared Isaacman. Estimates suggest it cost hundreds of millions of dollars, fully funded by Isaacman and the Polaris Program.

6. What happens if the Dragon hatch doesn’t close?

The Crew Dragon hatch is designed with redundant seals and locking mechanisms to ensure closure. In the unlikely event of a failure, the crew’s pressurized suits would act as their primary life support, providing oxygen and pressure to keep them alive while emergency procedures were attempted.

7. Is Jared Isaacman the new NASA Administrator?

As of late 2025, Jared Isaacman has been nominated for the position of NASA Administrator but has not yet been confirmed. His nomination has sparked significant discussion regarding his commercial ties and his proposed “Athena” reform plan for the agency.

8. How long was the spacewalk?

The entire spacewalk operation, from the opening of the hatch to its closure, lasted approximately 26 minutes. Jared Isaacman spent about eight minutes outside, and Sarah Gillis spent about seven minutes outside.

9. What watches did the Polaris Dawn crew wear?

The crew wore custom IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Polaris Dawn” timepieces. These ceramic watches were designed to withstand the space environment and were auctioned after the mission to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

10. What is the “Athena” document?

The “Athena” document is a strategic proposal attributed to Jared Isaacman that outlines a vision for reforming NASA. It suggests shifting focus toward Mars exploration, streamlining operations, and increasing reliance on commercial partnerships, while potentially reducing Earth science activities.

KEYWORDS: Polaris Dawn, Jared Isaacman, SpaceX EVA suit, Commercial Spacewalk, Starlink laser communication, Van Allen radiation belt, Polaris Program, Sarah Gillis, Anna Menon, Dragon Resilience, Space health research, Commercial spaceflight, High apogee orbit, Hubble reboost, Starship crewed flight.