Historic Private Spacewalk Attempt by SpaceX Polaris Dawn Astronauts

Billionaire Jared Isaacman and SpaceX employee Sarah Gillis are on the verge of attempting the first-ever commercial spacewalk from their Crew Dragon spacecraft.

Polaris Dawn Crew's Major Milestone

On Wednesday, the four civilian space astronauts of the Polaris Dawn crew reached a significant milestone. They are currently located 1,400 km above Earth, marking the farthest distance humans have traveled since the Apollo program over 50 years ago.

Polaris Dawn's Latest Space Mission Update

The Polaris Dawn crew successfully completed their first day on-orbit, also referred to as Flight Day 1. Following a successful launch by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket to low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 5:23 a.m. ET, the crew removed their spacesuits and commenced their multi-day mission. Shortly after takeoff, the crew initiated a two-day pre-breathe protocol in anticipation of their expected spacewalk on Thursday, September 12 (Flight Day 3). During this period, the pressure inside the Dragon gradually decreases while oxygen levels in the cabin rise, aiding in the removal of nitrogen from the crew's bloodstreams. This process will help minimize the risk of decompression sickness (DCS) during all spacewalk operations. Approximately two hours into Flight Day 1, the crew had their first on-orbit meals. They then participated in the mission's inaugural science and research block and tested Starlink, which took about 3.5 hours. Around two hours into Flight Day 1, Dragon made its initial pass through the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA), an area where Earth's magnetic field is weaker, permitting more high-energy particles from space to penetrate closer to Earth. Mission control operators and the crew collaborated closely to monitor and respond to the vehicle's systems throughout all high-apogee phases of flight, particularly through the SAA region. By mid-day, the crew had their first sleep period in space. During this time, Dragon will execute its first apogee raising burn. Orbiting Earth at a higher altitude than any humans in over 50 years, the crew will rest for about eight hours ahead of a busy day on Flight Day 2. Excitingly, during its first orbit, Dragon reached an apogee of approximately 1,216 kilometers, making Polaris Dawn the highest Dragon mission flown to date. After a successful systems checkout, the crew and mission control will monitor the spacecraft ahead of the vehicle elevating itself to an elliptical orbit of 190 x 1,400 kilometers at the start of Flight Day 2.

Bottom Line

This historic attempt at a commercial spacewalk by the Polaris Dawn crew is a testament to the advancements in space exploration. It also marks a significant milestone in bringing space travel closer to civilians. As we continue to push the boundaries of human exploration, it's fascinating to consider what the future holds for us beyond our planet. What are your thoughts on this historic event? Feel free to share this article with your friends and discuss. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.