A Guide to Polaris Dawn and the First SpaceX Spacewalk

On August 26, 2024, a SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will launch the first mission of the Polaris Program, Polaris Dawn, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of commercial space exploration.

This mission is more than just a milestone for SpaceX; it represents a new chapter in human spaceflight, as it will include the first commercial spacewalk, aim to achieve the highest altitude for a human spaceflight since the Apollo program, and test a groundbreaking communication system using Starlink.

Additionally, the mission is tied to a humanitarian cause, as it seeks to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

On Monday, August 19th, the crew arrived at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and held a Media Mission Overview Briefing. During the hour-long event, several details were shared with the press and the public.

We have compiled a complete guide to the mission for you.

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The Polaris Program: a vision for the future of space exploration

The Polaris Program, named after the North Star, consists of three planned human spaceflights. Polaris Dawn is the inaugural mission, designed to push the boundaries of commercial space travel and lay the groundwork for future endeavors in making life multiplanetary.

The Polaris Program embodies the spirit of exploration and technological advancement, much like its namesake, which has historically guided explorers and inspired humanity to reach beyond the known world.

“After more than two years of training, we are excited to embark on this mission. We are incredibly thankful for this opportunity and to the thousands of SpaceX engineers who have contributed to this endeavor,” said Jared Isaacman, the mission’s commander and the visionary behind the Polaris Program.

“We hope the results from our mission will accelerate SpaceX’s vision to make life multiplanetary and support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and its efforts to improve global survival rates for childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”

The Polaris Dawn Crew

The Polaris Dawn mission will be undertaken by a crew of four highly trained individuals, each bringing unique skills and experiences to the mission.

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Mission objectives and innovations

The Polaris Dawn mission is ambitious, aiming to achieve several groundbreaking milestones that will contribute to the future of human space exploration.

1. First commercial spacewalk

One of the most anticipated aspects of Polaris Dawn is the attempt to conduct the first-ever commercial spacewalk. This will take place at an elliptical orbit of 190 x 700 kilometers (approximately 435 miles) above Earth, far higher than the International Space Station.

The crew will don newly developed SpaceX EVA (extravehicular activity) spacesuits and will perform a series of tests to gather data that will be crucial for the design of future spacesuits and long-duration missions.

To discover all the details about the new SpaceX’s EVA spacesuit, check our previous article:

The spacewalk itself is expected to last around two hours, with each crewmember spending 15-20 minutes outside the Dragon spacecraft. Jared and Sarah will be the crew members venturing outside the spacecraft, while Scott and Anna will provide support from inside.

Upgrades to the spacecraft were necessary, including an increased oxygen supply to support the four spacesuits, as the entire cabin of the Dragon will be depressurized and exposed to the vacuum of space. Additionally, a new nitrogen repressurization system was developed to restore the cabin’s pressure after the spacewalk.

New mobility aids were introduced to enhance suited movement within the spacecraft. This includes a structure atop the spacecraft, outside the forward hatch, called “Skywalker,” designed for use during the spacewalk. Additionally, new camera views were installed to capture the mission.

All these modifications were rigorously tested in a thermal vacuum chamber, where a Dragon capsule was exposed to a simulated space environment for full-scale testing. SpaceX conducted an end-to-end sequence, depressurizing and repressurizing the capsule using “all the software, hardware, and integrated systems” expected for this flight, according to Sarah Gillis.

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2. Highest Earth orbit since Apollo

Polaris Dawn aims to fly higher than any previous Dragon mission, reaching an elliptical orbit with an altitude ranging from 190 kilometers to 1,400 kilometers (approximately 870 miles). This will place the crew within portions of the Van Allen radiation belt, making this the highest altitude achieved by a human spaceflight mission in over 50 years.

The mission will provide valuable data on radiation exposure and the human body’s response to such an environment, information that is vital for future deep space missions.

3. Advanced communications with Starlink

The mission will also test a new laser-based satellite communication system using optical links between the Dragon spacecraft and Starlink satellites. This technology hopes to revolutionize space communication by significantly increasing the speed and quality of data transmission.

Successful testing of this system could lead to improved communication capabilities for future space missions, particularly those involving deep space exploration.

4. Scientific research and health experiments

During the approximately five-day mission, the crew will conduct nearly 40 experiments, these include the use of ultrasound to monitor changes in eye structure, track organ blood flow, and test just-in-time training modules for medical tools.

The crew will also wear contact lenses embedded with microelectronics to continuously monitor changes in eye shape and pressure, providing critical data on Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), a condition that poses a risk to astronauts’ vision and performance.

Additional experiments focus on understanding the effects of microgravity on plant growth, pharmaceuticals, and medical procedures. The crew will also work on expanding on-orbit medical capabilities, including developing CPR procedures for use in the Dragon spacecraft and using fiberoptic cameras to understand fluid shifts in medical emergencies.

Other studies include brain mapping post-flight to understand microgravity’s impact on the brain and validating a continuous glucose monitoring device to ensure broader astronaut access. The mission will also measure neutron radiation exposure to improve space radiation prediction models.

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Training and preparation

The Polaris Dawn crew has undergone extensive training over the past two years to prepare for this historic mission. Their training regimen has included:

• Centrifuge Operations: To simulate the high G-forces experienced during launch and re-entry.
• Dragon Simulations: Over 2,000 hours spent in SpaceX’s Dragon simulator to familiarize the crew with every aspect of the spacecraft’s operations.
• Skydiving and Survival Training: Preparing the crew for emergency situations that could arise during the mission.
• High-Performance Aircraft Piloting: Enhancing the crew’s ability to handle high-stress flight conditions.
• Zero-G and Altitude Training: Allowing the crew to experience and adapt to the conditions of weightlessness and reduced oxygen environments.
• EVA Training: Special focus was placed on extravehicular activity (EVA) training, which included underwater and suspended operations to simulate the microgravity environment of space. The crew also received medical training to ensure they are prepared to handle any health-related issues that may arise during the mission.

A Mission with a purpose

In addition to its scientific and technological goals, Polaris Dawn is deeply rooted in a mission of humanitarianism. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is the official charitable partner of the mission, and fundraising efforts will be integrated into various aspects of the mission.

The crew’s work with St. Jude extends beyond fundraising, as they also helped bring Starlink connectivity to St. Jude facilities around the world, enhancing the hospital’s ability to communicate and collaborate on a global scale.

Corporate partners like DORITOS and IWC Schaffhausen have also joined the mission, with IWC Schaffhausen providing specially designed watches that will be worn during the flight and later auctioned to benefit St. Jude.

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