SpaceX Launches Billionaire's Private Crew on Milestone Spacewalk Mission
Four private astronauts embark on SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission. Mission aims to test new spacesuit designs and conduct first private spacewalk. Crew includes a billionaire entrepreneur, retired military pilot, and two SpaceX employees.
This mission, named Polaris Dawn, is set to last five days and is designed to test innovative spacesuit designs and execute the first-ever private spacewalk.
The crew comprises a billionaire entrepreneur, a retired military fighter pilot, and two dedicated SpaceX employees. The launch took place at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at approximately 5:23 a.m. EST (0923 GMT). Within nine and a half minutes, the capsule reached orbit, marking the commencement of their extraordinary voyage.
As the crew experienced zero gravity, they playfully interacted with a small plush astronaut toy dog. Following this, the Crew Dragon separated from its support trunk, offering a breathtaking view of the Earth illuminated by the sun through onboard cameras.
Offering words of encouragement, SpaceX Launch Director Frank Messina conveyed, "As you gaze toward the North Star remember that your courage lights the map for future explorers." He expressed confidence in the crew's skills, bravery, and teamwork for the mission ahead, sending them heartfelt wishes from the ground.
The Falcon 9 booster, crucial for the mission's success, landed safely on a seaborne pad, ensuring a pivotal step in the journey. This mission marks Crew Dragon's fifth private venture, with the spacecraft set to orbit as close as 190 km (118 miles) and as far as 1,400 km (870 miles) from Earth, surpassing previous human ventures since the Apollo moon program.
The Polaris Dawn spacewalk, scheduled for the third day of the mission at an altitude of 700 km, will last approximately 20 minutes. During this time, the crew will rely on SpaceX-built spacesuits for oxygen, as the Crew Dragon craft does not feature an airlock like the International Space Station (ISS).
Jared Isaacman, the 41-year-old pilot and billionaire behind electronic payment company Shift4, is funding the Polaris mission. Alongside him are mission pilot Scott Poteet, and SpaceX engineers Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. This mission is part of Isaacman's private Polaris program, with future plans for a Crew Dragon mission and a flight on SpaceX's Starship.
The crew's role as test subjects in various scientific experiments will provide valuable insights into the effects of cosmic radiation and space vacuum on the human body. This mission underscores SpaceX's pivotal role since the retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2011, with Crew Dragon being the primary U.S. crew-grade vehicle in operation.
Four private astronauts embark on SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission
Mission aims to test new spacesuit designs and conduct first private spacewalk
Crew includes a billionaire entrepreneur, retired military pilot, and two SpaceX employees
Source: REUTERS