Polaris Dawn Mission Set to Launch on August 27, Marking New Frontier in Commercial Space Exploration

The Crew Dragon spacecraft, designed and built by SpaceX, will serve as the crew's home and laboratory during their mission. The capsule is equipped with state-of-the-art life support systems, navigation, and communication technologies. For the Polaris Dawn mission, the Crew Dragon has been upgraded with a new motorized hatch, allowing the crew to exit the spacecraft during the spacewalk. The spacecraft will also feature a new structure for gripping outside the Dragon's forward hatch, as well as handholds and footholds inside and outside the spacecraft suitable for spacesuited astronauts.

The crew will wear newly designed Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) suits, also developed by SpaceX. These suits are specifically tailored for the harsh conditions of spacewalking, providing a safe and reliable environment for the crew. The suits feature a copper-coated visor to protect against radiation, flexible joints for ease of movement, and a cooling system to regulate body temperature. The suits also include displays and cameras inside the helmet, allowing information to be displayed in front of the astronauts' eyes.

Communication will play a critical role in the mission's success. The crew will use a new laser communication system, provided by SpaceX's Starlink satellites, to transmit data and voice communications. This advanced technology enables faster and more reliable communication, even at high altitudes and distances. The laser communications will involve Dragon and the Starlink craft moving independently of each other at 17,500 mph, sending information from one spacecraft to Earth and then to the other spacecraft.

The Polaris Dawn mission aims to test new hardware, spacesuits, and life-support technologies, paving the way for future deep space missions. The crew will soar to altitudes higher than any human has traveled since the Apollo program, venturing into the Van Allen radiation belt. They will also conduct a spacewalk, exposing themselves to the vacuum of space, and test the new EVA suits. During the spacewalk, the crew will use pure oxygen in their suits while the spacecraft's cabin is depressurized, and they will be tethered by umbilicals to the spacecraft.

This unprecedented mission is the first of three testing and development missions under the Polaris Program, a joint effort between Isaacman and SpaceX. The program's ultimate goal is to validate technology for future human missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The Polaris Dawn crew will face significant risks, including radiation exposure, decompression sickness, and the challenges of spacewalking without an airlock. However, with extensive training and testing, they are confident in their abilities and the technology that will support them. The crew has undergone a "pre-breathe" process to prepare for the spacewalk, which involves purging nitrogen from their blood to avoid decompression sickness. They will also use automatic rebooting software to troubleshoot computers that might malfunction due to radiation.

As the mission approaches, the crew is focused on the tasks ahead, aware of the significance of their journey. "We're not just going for a joyride," said Garrett Reisman, a former NASA astronaut and SpaceX consultant. "Jared wants to do things that SpaceX wasn't necessarily doing on its own, to increase their capabilities, to get them to move the ball further downfield."

The Polaris Dawn mission represents a new frontier in space exploration, driven by private investment and innovation. As Isaacman and his crew prepare to embark on this historic journey, they are aware of the risks and challenges that lie ahead. However, they are also driven by a shared vision of advancing space technology and pushing the boundaries of human achievement.

By Azhar