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What to Watch When Polaris Dawn Launches Next Week
On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 3:38 a.m. EDT (7:38 UTC), a historic event will take place in the realm of space exploration. The Polaris Dawn mission, an all-civilian spaceflight, is scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission marks the first of the Polaris Program, a private spaceflight initiative spearheaded by entrepreneur Jared Isaacman.
A New Era of Civilian Space Exploration
The Polaris Dawn mission is significant because it is the first mission in history to send an entirely civilian crew into space. The crew will ride aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Resilience, a spacecraft that was developed under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The mission was originally set to launch on July 31 but was delayed to its current date.
Jared Isaacman, the mission’s organizer and a crew member, is no stranger to spaceflight. He led the Inspiration4 mission in 2021, the first all-civilian mission to orbit Earth. Isaacman, who made his fortune in payment processing, is also the financial backer of Polaris Dawn, continuing his commitment to pushing the boundaries of private space exploration. Joining Isaacman on this mission are Scott Poteet, a retired U.S. Air Force pilot, and SpaceX engineers Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon.
In addition to its groundbreaking nature, the Polaris Dawn mission has a philanthropic angle. Like the Inspiration4 mission, Polaris Dawn will raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, which is dedicated to fighting childhood cancer.
Polaris Dawn: Breaking Records and Pushing Boundaries
One of the mission’s most notable aspects is the altitude it aims to achieve. Polaris Dawn’s initial orbit will reach an astonishing 870 miles (1,400 km) above Earth, making it the highest orbit since NASA’s Gemini 11 mission in 1966. This height is about three and a half times higher than the International Space Station (ISS) and will take the crew through parts of the Van Allen radiation belts. Interestingly, a third Van Allen belt appeared during intense solar and geomagnetic storms in May 2024. The mission offers a unique opportunity to study space radiation’s effects on human health, whether there are two or three belts to contend with.
The First Civilian Spacewalk
Another historic first for Polaris Dawn will be the first civilian spacewalk, or extravehicular activity (EVA). While orbiting at 430 miles (700 km) above Earth—still almost twice as high as the ISS—Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis will step out of the Dragon capsule to perform this spacewalk. They’ll be donning SpaceX’s new EVA spacesuits, which were tested and approved just last month.
However, unlike traditional spacecraft, the Dragon capsule lacks an airlock. Instead, the entire crew will wear their spacesuits while inside the capsule, and when the skywalker nose hatch opens, the cabin and its occupants will be exposed to the vacuum of space. Scott Poteet and Anna Menon will remain inside the vehicle during the spacewalk, but the crew’s exposure will set a new record for the most people in the vacuum of space at once.
Cutting-Edge Communication
The mission will also test SpaceX’s Starlink laser-based communications system. With this technology, the crew will be able to maintain high-speed, reliable communication with Earth, even from such a high orbit.
Conclusion
Polaris Dawn is more than just a mission; it’s a milestone in the evolution of space exploration. As the first all-civilian spaceflight to reach such high altitudes, attempt a civilian spacewalk, and test new technologies, it represents a giant leap for private space travel. Don’t miss the opportunity to watch this historic launch live on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. The mission promises to push the boundaries of what is possible and inspire future generations to reach for the stars.
https://polarisprogram.com/dawn
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