All You Need to Know About the Polaris Dawn Mission

Elon Musk has been in the spotlight for his innovative ideas and groundbreaking projects, such as SpaceX and Tesla. Recently, this innovation-driven businessman has launched Polaris Dawn, which is a five-day mission. 

It is the first of three Polaris Program testing and development missions that Isaacman and Elon Musk's SpaceX will carry out jointly. The program aims to create new technologies that could be used to send people to Mars in the future.

On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Florida, carrying American millionaire Jared Isaacman and three others into space to undertake the world's first private spacewalk.

What is a Spacewalk?

A spacewalk, also known as an Extravehicular Activity (EVA), is when an astronaut exits their spacecraft and operates in the vacuum of space. During a spacewalk, astronauts are exposed to microgravity, meaning they float freely, experiencing near weightlessness. 

They wear specialised suits called Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs), which provide life support, including oxygen, temperature control, and protection from the harsh conditions of space, such as extreme temperatures and radiation.

Spacewalks are often conducted to perform repairs, install new equipment, or conduct scientific experiments on the exterior of spacecraft or space stations. During these activities, astronauts must carefully tether themselves to the spacecraft to prevent drifting away in the microgravity environment.

What is the Dawn Polaris Mission?

Polaris Dawn is the inaugural mission of the Polaris Program, a series of three planned missions funded by billionaire Jared Isaacman. Launched on September 10, 2024, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, this mission aims to achieve several significant milestones in commercial space exploration.

Polaris Dawn is the inaugural mission of the Polaris Program, a series of three planned missions funded by billionaire Jared Isaacman. Launched on September 10, 2024, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, this mission aims to achieve several significant milestones in commercial space exploration.

The original date was scheduled for August 28, 2024, but was delayed due to a helium leak. It was again postponed due to bad weather around Florida. It lifted off from Florida on Tuesday, carrying American millionaire Jared Isaacman and three others into orbit to attempt the world's first private spacewalk.

What are the objectives of the Polaris Dawn Mission?

First Commercial Spacewalk: Polaris Dawn is set to conduct the first-ever commercial extravehicular activity (EVA) using SpaceX-designed spacesuits, marking a significant advancement in private space exploration capabilities.

High-Altitude Flight: The mission will take the crew to approximately 700 kilometres above Earth, venturing into the inner Van Allen radiation belts, an altitude not reached by humans since the Apollo missions in the 1970s.

Scientific Research: The mission will conduct various scientific experiments focused on human health and performance in space, including testing telemedicine capabilities and gathering essential health data for future long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars. Collaborations with institutions like NASA's Human Research Program and the Translational Research Institute for Space Health are part of this effort.

Testing New Technologies: Polaris Dawn will also test Starlink laser-based communications in space, which could enhance future communication systems for deep space missions.

Who are the crew members of the Polaris Dawn Mission?

The Polaris Dawn crew consists of four members:

1. Jared Isaacman: Mission Commander and founder of Shift4 Payments; he previously commanded the Inspiration4 mission and is funding the Polaris Program.
2. Scott "Kidd" Poteet: A retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel and experienced pilot, he has extensive flight experience and has worked closely with Isaacman.
3. Sarah Gillis: A lead space operations engineer at SpaceX, she is responsible for astronaut training and has a background in mission control operations.
4. Anna Menon: Also a lead space operations engineer at SpaceX, she has a background in biomedical engineering and has worked with NASA on the International Space Station.

What are the main goals of the Polaris Program?

The Polaris Program, initiated by billionaire Jared Isaacman, comprises a series of planned private crewed space missions utilising SpaceX technology. The main goals of the program include:

1. Advancing Human Health Research: Each mission aims to conduct scientific experiments to enhance understanding of human health in space. This includes studying the effects of microgravity on the human body and testing how pharmaceuticals are processed in orbit. The first mission, Polaris Dawn, will involve 38 research experiments, focusing on areas such as eye structure changes and the impacts of space radiation on health.
2. Demonstrating SpaceX Technology: The program seeks to validate and demonstrate various SpaceX technologies, including the use of Starlink laser-based communications and the development of new spacesuits designed for extravehicular activities (EVAs) in commercial spaceflight. Polaris Dawn will attempt the first commercial spacewalk, testing these new suits in the vacuum of space.
3. Setting Space Milestones: The missions aim to achieve significant milestones in space exploration, such as reaching the highest Earth orbit ever flown by a crewed mission, exceeding the previous record set by the Gemini 11 mission at 853 miles (1,373 kilometres) above Earth. This will enhance the capabilities of private spaceflight.
4. Charitable Contributions: The program also has a philanthropic aspect, with plans to raise funds for charitable causes, including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, through the missions.
5. Preparing for Future Exploration: Ultimately, the Polaris Program is designed to lay the groundwork for deeper space exploration, including potential missions to the Moon and Mars. The third mission is expected to utilise SpaceX's Starship, marking a significant step in making space more accessible for human exploration.

What challenges might the Polaris Program face?

The Polaris Program, while ambitious and promising, may face several challenges as it progresses through its planned missions. Key challenges include:

1. Technical and Engineering Hurdles: Developing new technologies, such as the bespoke EVA suits for spacewalks and the Starlink communication systems, poses significant engineering challenges. Ensuring these systems are safe, reliable, and effective in the harsh environment of space is critical, especially since Polaris Dawn aims to conduct the first commercial spacewalk.
2. Radiation Exposure: The Polaris Dawn mission will operate at altitudes that expose the crew to higher levels of cosmic radiation, particularly as it reaches around 1,400 kilometres above Earth. Understanding and mitigating the health risks associated with this radiation is essential for both crew safety and for gathering accurate scientific data.
3. Funding and Financial Viability: Although the Polaris Program is funded by Jared Isaacman, maintaining financial viability for future missions could be a challenge. The program needs to ensure a steady flow of customers and investors interested in space tourism and related ventures to support its ambitious goals.
4. Regulatory and Safety Compliance: Navigating the regulatory landscape for commercial spaceflight is complex. The Polaris Program must comply with various safety regulations and standards set by agencies such as NASA and the FAA. This can lead to delays and increased costs if additional requirements arise during the mission planning and execution phases.
5. Public and Stakeholder Interest: Sustaining public interest in the program and its missions is crucial for ongoing support and funding. The program must effectively communicate its goals, achievements, and the benefits of its research to maintain enthusiasm and engagement from the public and potential investors.
6. Dependence on SpaceX: The Polaris Program heavily relies on SpaceX for launch and operational capabilities. Any delays or issues with SpaceX's technology or launch schedules could directly impact the Polaris missions, creating potential setbacks in timelines and objectives.

How will the Polaris Program ensure the safety of its crew?

The Polaris Program is taking several key measures to ensure the safety of its crew during the ambitious Polaris Dawn mission and future flights:

1. Rigorous Training and Selection

• The crew has undergone extensive training identical to NASA astronaut training, including topics specific to the Polaris Dawn mission objectives and experiments.
• SpaceX has created a new medical training program for the crew similar to what NASA astronauts receive.
• The crew was carefully selected to meet mission objectives, with each member's background well-suited for the challenges ahead.

2. Spacecraft and Suit Testing

• The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule has undergone rigorous testing to ensure its avionics can withstand the harsh radiation environment the crew will encounter.
• The new SpaceX-designed EVA suits to be used for the first commercial spacewalk have been extensively tested and trained on by the crew.

3. Mission Planning and Execution

• The mission timeline is carefully planned to limit the crew's exposure to the inner Van Allen radiation belt to a maximum of 5–6 days, the limit of the spacecraft's life support system.
• SpaceX must ensure calm seas and low winds during the critical re-entry phase for a safe splashdown.
• The mission has a 60% chance of unfavourable launch conditions, requiring the right weather for both launch and return.

4. Ongoing Monitoring and Research

• The crew will wear radiation monitoring devices to systematically catalogue radiation levels, allowing comparison to previous missions.
• The biological effects of radiation will be studied by comparing crew health before, during, and after the mission.
• The diverse crew composition of men and women provides valuable data on potential gender differences in spaceflight effects.

By rigorously training the crew, thoroughly testing the spacecraft and suits, meticulously planning the mission, and conducting important radiation research, the Polaris Program is prioritising crew safety while pushing the boundaries of commercial spaceflight. The lessons learnt will inform future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.