Reaching an unprecedented altitude of 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) above Earth's surface, the Polaris Dawn mission has set a new benchmark for human spaceflight in Earth orbit12. This achievement surpasses the previous record of 1,373 kilometers (853 miles) established by NASA's Gemini 11 mission in 1966, marking the highest Earth orbit attained by humans since the Apollo program34. The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, launched on September 10, 2024, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, utilized its forward thrusters to raise its orbit to this record-breaking height56. This milestone not only demonstrates advancements in commercial spaceflight capabilities but also provides valuable data for future deep space missions, as the crew traversed through portions of the Van Allen radiation belts12.

Scheduled for the third day of the mission, the Polaris Dawn crew will attempt the first-ever commercial extravehicular activity (EVA) in history. Two crew members, Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis, will exit the Dragon spacecraft to test new SpaceX-designed spacesuits, which are upgraded versions of the intravehicular suits used during launch and reentry12. This pioneering spacewalk aims to evaluate procedures crucial for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, while also setting a new standard for commercial space operations1.

During their mission, the Polaris Dawn crew will conduct over 40 scientific experiments focused on advancing human health in space and on Earth1. These include studying Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS), a condition affecting astronaut vision during prolonged spaceflight1. The crew will undergo eye tests before, during, and after the mission using advanced imaging techniques like optical coherence tomography. Additionally, they will test SpaceX's Starlink laser-based communications in space, providing valuable data for future space communication systems2. Collaborations with various research institutions, including the Translational Research Institute for Space Health and Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, will support these scientific endeavors2.

Led by billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, the Polaris Dawn crew consists of four civilian astronauts. Joining Isaacman are pilot Scott Poteet, a retired U.S. Air Force pilot, and mission specialists Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, both SpaceX engineers12. This mission marks the first spaceflight for Gillis and Menon, who have now traveled farther from Earth than any other women in history3. The crew's diverse backgrounds and expertise contribute to the mission's ambitious goals, including scientific research and testing of new spaceflight technologies.