SpaceX Launches Polaris Dawn: First Private Spacewalk and Record-Breaking Mission
On Tuesday, four private astronauts embarked on SpaceX’s most daring mission yet — Polaris Dawn. This five-day mission marks the first private spacewalk and will take the crew farther from Earth than any humans have gone since the Apollo program.
The mission launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 5:23 a.m. EST, with the crew aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. Led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, who is financing the mission, the team also includes pilot Scott Poteet and SpaceX engineers Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis.
Polaris Dawn is part of Isaacman’s broader Polaris program, which aims to push the boundaries of private space exploration. The mission will see the crew orbiting Earth in a path that brings them as close as 190 km (118 miles) and as far as 1,400 km (870 miles) from the planet.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk described the mission as "the furthest humans have travelled from Earth since Apollo and the first commercial spacewalk."
Polaris Dawn sees successful launch after previous technical issues
SpaceX live streamed the launch on X, with ground controllers offering encouragement to the crew: "As you gaze towards the North Star, remember that your courage lights the path for future explorers."
The flight was not without challenges. Originally slated for last month, the launch faced delays due to a helium leak and weather issues. Nevertheless, the crew lifted off successfully in a Falcon 9 rocket, which will return to Earth for reuse in future missions.
Crew’s spacewalk to add to scientific knowledge of effects of space on the human body
Polaris Dawn’s spacewalk, set for the third day of the mission, is unprecedented. The entire Crew Dragon capsule will be depressurized, and Isaacman and Gillis will venture outside tethered by oxygen lines, while Poteet and Menon remain inside. This type of mission, reminiscent of early U.S. spacewalks, has previously only been attempted by highly trained government astronauts.
The crew will conduct several scientific experiments to understand how space conditions affect the human body, especially in the face of cosmic radiation. These studies will add to the knowledge gained from decades of research aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Polaris Dawn's altitude will surpass that of NASA’s Gemini 11 mission in 1966, setting new records.
In addition to pushing human boundaries in space, SpaceX hopes this mission will pave the way for future private spacewalks and commercial space exploration. For Isaacman and his team, Polaris Dawn is more than a mission; it’s a step towards opening space to broader, non-government exploration.
