SpaceX is gearing up for an unprecedented venture with the Polaris Dawn mission, set to feature the first-ever private spacewalk. Scheduled to launch this Tuesday, the five-day mission aims to push the frontiers of private space exploration by testing innovative technology and ambitious objectives.
Led by billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, alongside a retired military pilot and two SpaceX engineers, Polaris Dawn seeks to break new ground with a 20-minute spacewalk conducted two days into the journey. Unlike previous spacewalks typically carried out by government astronauts aboard the ISS, this mission will take place at a staggering altitude of 700 kilometers above Earth.
A key highlight of the mission is the spacewalk itself, slated for the third day. In preparation, the crew will undergo a \"pre-breathe\" process to fill the cabin with pure oxygen, eliminating nitrogen to prevent decompression sickness, commonly known as \"the bends.\" During the walk, astronauts will be tethered with oxygen lines, relying on their state-of-the-art spacesuits for life support.
Polaris Dawn also showcases SpaceX's latest technological advancements, including slimline spacesuits and a modified Crew Dragon cabin that can be depressurized without an airlock. This groundbreaking approach allows the hatch to open directly into the vacuum of space, streamlining the mission's logistics.
Beyond the spacewalk, the mission will serve as a platform for critical scientific experiments. The crew will monitor nitrogen bubbles in their bloodstreams, providing vital data to researchers studying how the human body adapts to deep space environments, such as those on the moon.
Reference(s):
SpaceX to launch first private spacewalk mission with Polaris Dawn
cgtn.com
