SpaceX is gearing up for its first private mission involving a spacewalk, scheduled for August 26. This historic flight marks a significant milestone for private space exploration.
Elon Musk has noted that the launch will occur around dawn, underscoring the mission’s significance. Jared Isaacman, the businessman and space traveler who led the historic Inspiration4 flight in 2021, will command the mission. The crew will include pilot Scott Potit and SpaceX employees Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis, who will handle medical and mission specialist roles, respectively.
The Polaris Dawn mission is set to advance private space exploration and push the boundaries of human spaceflight.
First SpaceX spacewalk mission launches in a week. This will be epic. https://t.co/U9OSmDR2ti
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 18, 2024
Isaacman highlighted that the Polaris Dawn mission will reach an altitude not achieved by humans in over 50 years. The mission’s centerpiece is the planned spacewalk. Isaacman emphasized the seriousness of the experience, explaining that the crew is thoroughly prepared for the conditions they will face.
He noted that being in space means being “surrounded by death,” and to simulate these extreme conditions, the team has used vacuum chambers to mimic the pressures and temperatures of space. This preparation helps them experience the real effects of extreme pressure and temperature, as well as the psychological challenges of being in a harsh environment.
