SpaceX's Polaris Dawn crew has successfully completed a groundbreaking five-day mission to orbit, culminating in a safe splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. The four astronauts aboard the Crew Dragon capsule landed off the coast of Dry Tortugas, Florida, at 3:37 a.m. ET on Sunday.
The Polaris Dawn mission made history by achieving a higher altitude than any human has traveled in the past five decades. Notably, the crew conducted the world's first commercial spacewalk during this mission, marking a significant milestone for privately funded and operated space endeavors.
Returning to Earth posed one of the most perilous phases of the mission. To ensure a safe reentry, the Crew Dragon capsule executed a 'de-orbit burn' to orient itself for reentry into Earth's atmosphere. The spacecraft endured extreme temperatures of up to 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit due to the intense pressure and friction of reentry while traveling at speeds of around 17,000 miles per hour.
Following reentry, the Crew Dragon deployed parachutes to slow its descent before splashing down in the ocean. Rescue crews are on standby to retrieve the capsule and transport it to a special recovery vessel known as the 'Dragon's nest' for final safety checks and crew disembarkation.
The Polaris Dawn crew, led by mission commander Jared Isaacman, also included former US Air Force pilot Scott 'Kidd' Poteet, and SpaceX operations engineers Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis. The crew set a new altitude record by orbiting Earth at a height of 870 miles, surpassing a record set by NASA's Gemini 11 mission in 1966.
Gillis and Menon became the first women to venture so far from Earth during the mission, marking a significant achievement in space exploration. The crew also conducted a spacewalk, testing the functionality of extravehicular activity suits in the vacuum of space.
Throughout the mission, the crew performed nearly 40 science experiments and research, including studies on space adaptation syndrome. Gillis, a talented violinist, played 'Rey's Theme' from 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' in space, showcasing the potential of SpaceX's Starlink satellite network for in-space connectivity.
Menon read a book she coauthored, 'Kisses From Space,' to her family and patients from St. Jude Children's Hospital as part of a fundraiser. The successful return of the Crew Dragon capsule concludes its third trip to space, following previous missions in 2020 and 2021.
The Polaris Dawn mission exemplifies the advancements in commercial space exploration and the pioneering spirit of the crew in pushing the boundaries of human spaceflight.
