Musk's SpaceX to Test Groundbreaking Technology in High-Risk Spacewalk
SpaceX plans to execute the first private spacewalk using cutting-edge technology. Polaris Dawn mission will test slimline spacesuits and an airlock-free cabin. Crew will encounter obstacles in high-altitude orbit and in a radiation-rich environment.
The mission involves cutting-edge gear like sleek spacesuits and a spacecraft cabin without an airlock, marking a daring venture for Musk's space enterprise.
A modified Crew Dragon spacecraft will be used to launch a billionaire entrepreneur, a former military pilot, and two SpaceX staff members next week. A 20-minute spacewalk is included in their mission, which will take place at a distance of 434 miles (700 km) into space.
Unlike past spacewalks conducted by government astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS), SpaceX's forthcoming five-day mission, Polaris Dawn, will orbit Earth in an elliptical trajectory ranging from 118 miles (190 km) to 870 miles (1,400 km).
The modified Crew Dragon, which is able to open its hatch door in space without the need for an airlock, will be used by the crew, which includes billionaire Jared Isaacman, to don SpaceX's new slimline spacesuits. Garrett Reisman, a retired NASA astronaut, has emphasised that this innovative approach is poised to redefine boundaries in a variety of ways.
Isaacman, the proprietor of Shift4, a digital payment company, and the mission's sponsor, has invested more than US$100 million in the mission. He is accompanied by SpaceX technologists Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, as well as mission pilot Scott Poteet, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel.
This mission presents an opportunity for SpaceX, which is recognised for its exclusive private space travel and cost-effective reusable launchers, to advance technologies that are essential for future lunar and Martian exploration.
The mission's obstacles extend beyond Earth's protective shield, as Crew Dragon's electronics and spacesuit shielding undergo rigorous testing as they travel through the Van Allen belt. This region is susceptible to solar radiation, which can disrupt electronics and negatively impact human health.
On the third day of the mission, the Polaris spacewalk is scheduled to commence with meticulous preparation that commences 45 hours in advance. The Crew Dragon's compartment will be depressurised by the crew, allowing it to be exposed to space. Two astronauts will be tethered by oxygen lines and will rely on their spacesuits for life support.
In preparation for the spacewalk, the crew will engage in a "pre-breathe" procedure to replace cabin air with purified oxygen. This procedure is designed to reduce the likelihood of nitrogen bubbles forming in their bloodstream, a condition that is similar to decompression sickness in divers.
The mission will not only evaluate instruments but also conduct a variety of scientific experiments to offer valuable data for future space missions and to provide insights into the adaptability of astronauts in deep space environments.
Private missions such as Polaris are not subject to the same stringent safety regulations as NASA missions. SpaceX and the Polaris crew have contingency plans in place to address potential errors during the mission, thereby ensuring that they are prepared for unforeseen challenges.
SpaceX to conduct first private spacewalk with innovative technology
Polaris Dawn mission to test slimline spacesuits and airlock-free cabin
Crew to face challenges in high-altitude orbit and radiation-rich environment
Source: REUTERS