SpaceX Plans First Space Walk
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SpaceX is poised to make history with its upcoming Polaris Dawn mission, set to launch on August 26, 2024, featuring the first-ever private spacewalk and pushing the boundaries of commercial space exploration. Led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, this ambitious mission aims to reach record-breaking altitudes, test new spacesuit technology, and conduct groundbreaking scientific research in orbit.
First Private Spacewalk
fox35orlando.com
On the third day of the mission, two crew members will attempt the first-ever commercial extravehicular activity (EVA) at approximately 700 kilometers above Earth
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. This historic spacewalk will be conducted using SpaceX's newly developed EVA spacesuits, which are upgraded versions of their intravehicular suits2
. The entire Dragon capsule will be depressurized for the EVA, as it lacks an airlock, requiring all four crew members to don spacesuits3
. A new structure called Skywalker, added to the forward hatch, will provide hand and footholds to assist the spacewalkers as they exit the vehicle4
.4 sources
Crew and Training Details
The four-person crew for Polaris Dawn consists of mission commander Jared Isaacman, pilot Scott "Kidd" Poteet, and mission specialists Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon
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. Isaacman and Poteet bring extensive flight experience, while Gillis and Menon are SpaceX employees with expertise in astronaut training and space operations3
. To prepare for the mission's challenges, the team underwent rigorous training including:
- 2,000 hours in a simulator
- Centrifuge sessions
- Scuba diving and skydiving
- Climbing Ecuador's Cotopaxi volcano1
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.3 sources
Mission Objectives and Experiments
cnn.com
The Polaris Dawn mission aims to reach an altitude of 1,400 kilometers, the highest for a crewed spacecraft since the Apollo era
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. This ambitious goal will allow the crew to conduct research on the effects of space radiation on human health as they pass through the Van Allen radiation belts2
. Additionally, the mission will test Starlink laser-based communications in space, providing valuable data for future space communication systems3
. The crew will perform approximately 40 scientific experiments, including studies on human health during long-duration spaceflights, in collaboration with various research institutions such as the Translational Research Institute for Space Health and Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory4
.4 sources
SpaceX Spacesuit Development
robbreport.com
The EVA suits for Polaris Dawn represent a significant advancement in SpaceX's spacesuit technology. Evolved from the company's intravehicular activity (IVA) suits, these new spacesuits feature enhanced mobility, a state-of-the-art helmet with a heads-up display (HUD) and camera, and innovative thermal management textiles
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. The suits incorporate materials borrowed from Falcon's interstage and Dragon's trunk, demonstrating SpaceX's integrated approach to spacecraft design1
. This development is crucial for SpaceX's long-term goals, as the company aims to create scalable spacesuit designs capable of supporting future missions to the Moon and Mars, where millions of suits may be required2
.2 sources
Related
How did SpaceX develop the new space suits
What materials are used in the SpaceX space suits
How do the SpaceX space suits compare to NASA's
What challenges did SpaceX face in creating the space suits
How will the space suits be tested during the Polaris Dawn mission
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