On Tuesday, Jared Isaacman and his crew of private astronauts set a new milestone in space exploration. The Polaris Dawn mission, which launched early in the morning, travelled farther from Earth than any humans have since the Apollo moon missions of the 1960s and 1970s. The spacecraft, a SpaceX Crew Dragon, reached an impressive 1,400 kilometres (870 miles) above Earth’s surface, breaking a record that had stood for nearly six decades.
This mission holds special significance for two crew members, Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, who are now the women who have travelled the furthest from Earth.
Watch live as Falcon 9 launches the @PolarisProgram’s Polaris Dawn crew on a multi-day mission orbiting Earth https://t.co/u1KqQx5AFr
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 10, 2024
A Mission Led by Ambition
The mission is led by billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, founder of Shift4 Payments, in collaboration with SpaceX. Isaacman, who previously commanded the Inspiration4 mission, is aiming to advance the technology necessary for future Mars expeditions, with this flight being the first of three in a planned series.
Polaris Dawn is notable for several reasons, including its planned spacewalk, which will be the first ever undertaken by commercial astronauts. The mission also focuses on scientific research, with the crew conducting 40 experiments in areas like health and space communication, using SpaceX’s Starlink system.
Breaking a 1966 Gemini Record
The crew of Polaris Dawn didn’t just break records—they doubled the altitude that NASA’s Space Shuttle reached when deploying the Hubble Space Telescope. This new record surpassed the previous one set during NASA’s Gemini 11 mission in 1966, when astronauts Pete Conrad and Richard Gordon reached an orbit of 853 miles.
The spacecraft’s high altitude provided valuable data on how space environments, including radiation and micrometeorites, affect both human bodies and spacecraft systems. Commander Isaacman emphasised that this mission will help inform future deep-space explorations, like those to Mars, with vital knowledge on how to protect astronauts from harsh conditions.
The Risks of Space Travel
The journey to such heights was not without risks. Flying at this altitude meant passing through the Van Allen radiation belts, which surround the Earth and shield it from solar and cosmic radiation. While the crew’s exposure to harmful radiation was carefully managed, this marked the first time modern spacecraft systems, including digital touchscreens, have been subjected to such conditions. The data gathered during this mission will help SpaceX improve spacecraft for future deep-space missions.
Preparing for a Historic Spacewalk
A key highlight of Polaris Dawn is the planned spacewalk, where Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis will step outside the spacecraft to test new spacesuits designed by SpaceX. These suits are a more advanced version of those used on previous missions, equipped with features such as micrometeorite protection and improved temperature controls. During the spacewalk, Anna Menon and Scott Poteet will remain inside the capsule to monitor the situation and manage life support systems.
The mission is not just about exploration but also contributes to important scientific research. Alongside the spacewalk, the astronauts are conducting experiments such as using natural space radiation to capture X-ray-like images without a machine. The results will not only enhance human health during long-duration spaceflights but also provide insights for future space missions.
Looking Beyond the Horizon
While Polaris Dawn continues to make history, it is also raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, blending the awe of space exploration with charitable causes. As the first in a series of planned missions, this ambitious journey is a significant step towards making human space travel to Mars a reality.
With a live broadcast planned for the spacewalk, the world will be watching as Jared Isaacman and his crew continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in space exploration.
