SpaceX Prepares For First Spacewalk & Mission to Study Effects of Deep Space on Human Body 🚀
SpaceX is gearing up for an extraordinary feat as it prepares to launch its Polaris Dawn mission. This mission will not only mark the first spacewalk by a commercial company but will also take the crew further from Earth than anyone has traveled in over half a century. Here’s what you need to know:
Launching the Polaris Dawn Mission
- SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission, part of the broader Polaris Program, is set to launch on a Falcon 9 reusable rocket from the U.S. Space Force Base in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
- The Dragon spacecraft carrying the Polaris Dawn crew will spend five days in orbit, conducting research and engaging in a historic spacewalk.
Spacewalk 700 Kilometers Above Earth
- The spacewalk will take place 700 kilometers (about 435 miles) above Earth, surpassing the altitude of the International Space Station by over 200 miles.
- The four-person crew includes Mission Commander Jared Isaacman, Mission Pilot Scott Poteet, Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, and Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Anna Menon.
Testing SpaceX’s New Spacesuits
- This mission will also test SpaceX’s new Extravehicular Activity (EVA) suits, marking the company’s first venture into spacewalks previously conducted by government-funded space agencies.
- The EVA suits feature advanced mobility, a cutting-edge helmet heads-up display (HUD), thermal management textiles, and materials from Falcon and Dragon spacecraft.
Research Projects and Future Missions
- One of the key research projects during the Polaris Dawn mission will focus on testing Starlink laser-based communications in space to gather data for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
- SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has been a vocal advocate for human colonization of other planets, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the survival of the human race by becoming a multiplanet species.
Hot Take: SpaceX’s Bold Step Into Spacewalk Territory 🌌
SpaceX’s upcoming mission heralds a new era of space exploration as the private company embarks on its first spacewalk and delves into the effects of deep space on human physiology. The successful execution of the Polaris Dawn mission could open up new horizons for commercial space travel and research, paving the way for future ventures beyond Earth’s orbit.