Polaris Dawn Astronauts to Make History with First-Ever Commercial Spacewalk: What to Expect
Polaris Dawn stands to do something that would enter history in that it is preparing for the very first commercial spacewalk into a new phase of private space exploration. Led by SpaceX and headed by billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, Polaris Dawn pushes the boundaries of human spaceflight into unprecedented territory by having the first-ever space walk outside the safety of a spacecraft without governmental agencies creating this mission. This pioneering effort is clear proof that commercial space exploration is moving at the speed of light. It sets the stage for much wider concepts of future space ventures. A blog on this effort: What makes this mission historic, what to expect during the spacewalk, and how Polaris Dawn is charting a course into private space travel.
What is the Polaris Dawn Mission?
Polaris Dawn is the first mission in the Polaris Program, which is focused on pioneering space missions by Shift4 Payments founder and Inspiration4 commander Jared Isaacman. Unlike Inspiration4, the first crewed orbital mission with only civilians, Polaris Dawn is said to focus more on the exploration of commercial space. Some of the mission’s primary objectives include conducting a first-ever commercial spacewalk, testing laser-based communication between the Starlink satellites in space, and conducting a study on space radiation effects on human health.
The crew on board Polaris Dawn is comprised of four astronauts: Jared Isaacman, Scott Poteet, Sarah Gillis, and Anna Menon-all bringing different expertise and experience to the mission. Launching aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft atop a Falcon 9 rocket, the crew will embark on a mission expected to reach an orbit higher than any human spaceflight since the Apollo missions.
The First Historical Commercial Spacewalk: Why is it?
One of the most ambitious goals pursued by Polaris Dawn is to do a historic first-ever commercial spacewalk. So, what is it about this that makes this an effort so historical?
Privately Planned and Conducted: Unlike the spacewalks that NASA, Roscosmos, or the other space agencies did way back, this one would be well planned, financed, and conducted by a private organization. As for the crew training, the elaboration of the procedures for spacewalk, and ensuring the astronauts’ safety, all that would be done by SpaceX without any government inspection or inspection.
Custom Space Suits by SpaceX: For this mission, SpaceX will develop the next generation of space suits that is specifically made with in mind to go out for extravehicular activity or spacewalking. These new generation space suits shall come with innovations such as improved safety features, mobility, and life support systems for experiencing a new kind of spacewalking commercial space. Bringing all this to successful fruition can revolutionize future commercial space missions and set new standards for space exploration.
Higher Orbit and More Challenges: Polaris Dawn orbit is expected to reach about 1,400 kilometers above Earth, higher than the orbit the International Space Station travels. This makes it a more difficult challenge in terms of exposure to more radiation, and more thought and effort will be exerted to ensure that the astronauts are safe.
Scientific Research Opportunities: For a variety of scientific research, this walk will also be enabled. While performing the spacewalk, the astronauts will execute various experiments related to the effects of space radiation and microgravity on the human body. These data could contribute highly to the safety and success of long-duration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Pre-walk Preparation: Training, Problems, and Safety Measures
Even for the most seasoned astronauts, a spacewalk is a thing not to be taken lightly, and yet Polaris Dawn crew will go one step further: they are a manned crew venturing into space as part of a commercially organized mission. Here’s how they prepare for this historic event:
Comprehensive Training Programme: The crew of the Polaris Dawn has had rigorous training provided by SpaceX at their facilities regarding spacewalking. That entailed practicing procedures for extravehicular activities in neutral buoyancy pools as well as simulating conditions of microgravity. It also readied the crew to practice mock spacewalks in virtual reality environments, as well as the programme for spacewalk emergencies in case a suit malfunctioned or debris unexpectedly appeared.
Next Generation Space Suits: The space suits of SpaceX would be very integral to the critical safety and mobility aspects of astronauts in the lengthy spacewalk. It is designed to be endowed with extreme temperatures, vacuum pressure, and space radiation inside, maintaining the vital life support system features of the astronauts, such as being breathable, temperature regulation, etc.
Mission Control and Real-Time Monitoring: As the spacewalk continues, SpaceX’s mission control team will observe every vital sign of the astronauts, the state of the integrity of their suits, and the conditions surrounding them in real-time. The crew will be supported on any eventful issues that may arise, and they will safely return to the spacecraft.
Safety Measures and Redundancies: There are so many dangers that can be controlled by having several layers of safety measures and redundancies as part of this mission. This is going to act as a nearer proximity shelter and lifeline when the emergencies come knocking. Moreover, tethers would ensure no crew member drifts away in space from the vehicle.
Commercial Space Exploration Future
Polaris Dawn is a very pivotal success mission whose spacewalk might go a long way in dominating the venture of space travel in the future. The first privatization of space travel will also come through private companies and commercial entities:
Democratizing Access to Space: By achieving milestones traditionally reserved for government space agencies, Polaris Dawn demonstrates that commercial companies are capable of conducting complex space operations, including spacewalks. Democratizing access to space by making it accessible to private individuals, researchers, and organizations.
Accelerate Innovation and Competition: Participation by private corporations in spacewalking or space exploration most likely accelerates innovation. Companies would need to be able to come up with safer and cheaper alternatives so as not to fall behind; better technology and lower costs can then be expected later on from subsequent missions.
Encouraging public-private partnerships: With the success of Polaris Dawn among other commercial missions, companies should increase their collaboration with government agencies to offer better advantages from the agility and innovative nature of private companies combined with the experience and resources of government entities that make launches like lunar bases or Mars colonization possible.
Inspiring a New Generation of Explorers: The new generation of scientists, engineers, and space enthusiasts will be inspired by the high-profile missions like Polaris Dawn. As a whole of space opens up, we wait for the next waves of talent into this field to further drive advancements in both space technology and exploration.
Conclusion
It is one of the historic missions in the exploration of space by humans, the Polaris Dawn mission, and the first commercial spacewalk. Not only is it a marvelous display of private companies like SpaceX but also precedents for experimentation in space in the future. And while looking into the future, lessons from this Polaris Dawn project will forever shape the next era of commercial space travel, making such a dream to explore in space more accessible and achievable than ever before.
Join the journey: follow the progress as Polaris Dawn embarks on this historic journey into the cosmos!