SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission made history with the first-ever private spacewalk. The mission, consisting of a crew of four, will return to Earth on Sunday, September 15, 2024. Their spacecraft is expected to touch down off the coast of Dry Tortugas, Florida at 3:36 AM Eastern Time (0736 GMT). A live webcast by SpaceX will start about an hour before the landing.
| Key Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | September 10, 2024 |
| Peak Altitude | 870 miles (1,400 km) |
| Number of Crew Members | Four |
| Return Time | 3:36 AM ET, September 15, 2024 |
Journey Beyond Expectations
The Polaris Dawn mission is led by Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur, and the mission is one of several under the Polaris Program. The mission launched on September 10, 2024, from Kennedy Space Center. They traveled deeper into space than any human in the last 50 years, reaching a peak altitude of 870 miles, which is more than three times higher than the International Space Station. This made them the furthest humans from Earth since the Apollo missions to the Moon.
The crew performed the first private spacewalk, making the mission a landmark achievement for the commercial space industry. NASA’s chief, Bill Nelson, described it as a “giant leap forward.”
First Private Spacewalk
On Thursday, September 12, the crew lowered their orbit to 434 miles, and Jared Isaacman was the first to exit the Dragon spacecraft, making history by stepping into space. As he gripped onto a structure called “Skywalker,” he took in the stunning view of Earth. Isaacman was followed by SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis, who also conducted mobility tests in the next-generation space suits designed by SpaceX.
- First private spacewalk: Historic milestone in commercial spaceflight
- SpaceX crew: Jared Isaacman, Sarah Gillis, Scott Poteet, and Anna Menon
- Next-generation suits: Tested during spacewalk
Isaacman and Gillis were outside the spacecraft for a brief period, while the rest of the crew, Scott Poteet and Anna Menon, stayed inside the capsule monitoring the vital systems. What made this spacewalk unique was that the Dragon spacecraft does not have an airlock, meaning the entire crew was exposed to the vacuum of space.
Conducting Science Experiments in Space
The Polaris Dawn crew not only performed a spacewalk but also continued to conduct important scientific experiments while in space. They completed around 40 experiments, some focusing on human health and the effects of long-duration space missions. For example, they used endoscopic cameras to examine their airways to understand how space travel might impact breathing.
In addition, the crew demonstrated the capabilities of SpaceX’s Starlink internet satellite network. They sent a high-quality video to ground control featuring Sarah Gillis playing a violin solo of “Rey’s Theme” from Star Wars, which was a unique way to show how Starlink can provide connectivity even in space.
The Role of the Polaris Program
The Polaris Dawn mission is the first of three planned missions under the Polaris Program. This program is a collaboration between Jared Isaacman and SpaceX to push the boundaries of private space exploration. Isaacman previously led the all-civilian Inspiration4 mission in 2021, which orbited Earth and raised funds for charity.
While the financial details of the Polaris Program remain undisclosed, Isaacman has reportedly invested $200 million of his own money into the project. The future of the Polaris Program includes even more ambitious goals, such as the first crewed flight of SpaceX’s Starship rocket, which is a key component in Elon Musk’s vision for interplanetary exploration, particularly Mars.
SpaceX’s Vision for the Future
Since its founding in 2002, SpaceX has outpaced traditional space companies thanks to Elon Musk’s vision and financial backing. With missions like Polaris Dawn, SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of what private space companies can achieve. The company’s ultimate goal is the colonization of Mars, and missions like this bring Musk one step closer to making that dream a reality.
This mission also showcases how far the commercial space industry has come in a short time. Not only has SpaceX mastered launching reusable rockets, but they are also leading in developing next-generation spacecraft like Starship. The successful completion of Polaris Dawn’s spacewalk and other experiments demonstrates the potential of private space exploration.
Conclusion
The return of the Polaris Dawn crew marks a new era for private space exploration. This mission has set a high standard by performing the first-ever private spacewalk and achieving a new peak altitude for humans in the last half-century. With further plans under the Polaris Program, including the anticipated crewed flight of Starship, SpaceX continues to make strides towards Elon Musk’s vision of human settlement on Mars. The success of Polaris Dawn signifies a major step forward in the future of space travel.
