Cape Canaveral, Florida – SpaceX is gearing up for its groundbreaking Polaris Dawn mission, poised to launch four astronauts into orbit aboard the Crew Dragon capsule. This five-day odyssey through the Van Allen radiation belts will mark a milestone with the first spacewalk conducted by private astronauts.
Polaris Dawn, financed by billionaire and private astronaut Jared Isaacman, will see Isaacman joined by three other specially trained astronauts on this mission. Among them are retired US Air Force fighter pilot Scott Poteet, as well as SpaceX engineers Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis. Only Isaacman and Gillis are slated to participate in the spacewalk, set to unfold some 430 miles above Earth.
Upon reaching orbit, the crew will ascend to an altitude of approximately 870 miles, a feat not achieved since the Apollo missions over 50 years ago. Venturing through the Van Allen belts, two bands of radiation composed of high-energy particles, will provide invaluable data on space radiation’s effects on the human body.
In addition to the spacewalk’s significance, the Polaris Dawn mission will test SpaceX’s next-generation extravehicular activity (EVA) spacesuits. These advanced suits incorporate new materials for enhanced mobility and feature a 3D-printed helmet with a heads-up display and glare-reducing visor.
All four astronauts will don these upgraded suits for the spacewalk, as the lack of an airlock on the Crew Dragon necessitates exposure to the vacuum of space. Tests with the new spacesuits will be conducted by Issacman and Gillis during the spacewalk.
Beyond the technological advancements, the Polaris Dawn mission underscores the crew’s commitment to scientific research. Exploration of space radiation’s effects, Starlink’s satellite internet technology for communication, and research on decompression sickness and Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome are just a few of the scientific endeavors planned.
Scheduled for Tuesday, August 27th, with a 3:38 AM ET launch time, Polaris Dawn will lift off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Livestream coverage will be available on SpaceX’s website and X page, starting at about 12:05 AM ET as enthusiasts worldwide tune in to witness this historic mission.