The Polaris Dawn mission, launched on the Falcon 9 rocket by SpaceX, has successfully cleared the tower in a groundbreaking event early this morning. This five-day expedition is poised to set a new record as the farthest journey from Earth since NASA's moon landings over 50 years ago. The crew, consisting of four civilians, is embarking on a mission filled with numerous firsts in space exploration.
One of the most significant milestones of this mission is the world's first commercial spacewalk, where individuals who are not professional astronauts will conduct extravehicular activities. Additionally, SpaceX's innovative new spacesuit will be tested and worn in the vacuum of space for the first time, a feat that NASA has been working on for over two decades.
Another notable first is the crew's passage through the radiation belt, a high-risk area filled with charged particles and radiation, necessary for reaching Mars. The crew is currently in space, making preparations for the upcoming spacewalk, including a 45-hour pre-breathe procedure to purge nitrogen from their bloodstream.
The four-person crew includes Commander Jared Isaacman, Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, and Mission Specialist Anna Menon. Sarah Gillis, who serves as the lead astronaut trainer for SpaceX, was chosen for her expertise in training astronauts and will be experiencing space firsthand. Commander Jared Isaacman, on his second spaceflight after the Inspiration 4 mission, aims to support SpaceX's goal of colonizing Mars through a series of missions.
The spacesuits used in this mission's spacewalk represent a future generation that may be utilized in Mars exploration. The Polaris Dawn mission signifies a significant step forward in commercial space exploration and paves the way for future space endeavors.
