The billionaire Jared Isaacman’s Polaris Dawn mission has broken the previous record for the highest Earth orbit reached by humans since the Apollo era. After launching on September 10, 2024, the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft surpassed the previous record established by NASA’s Gemini 11 mission in 1966, reaching a height of 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) above Earth’s surface.
Breaking Records In Earth Orbit
Setting a new standard for human spaceflight in Earth orbit, the Polaris Dawn mission reached an astounding 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) above the planet’s surface. This is the highest Earth orbit reached by humans since the Apollo program, surpassing the previous record of 1,373 kilometers (853 miles) set by NASA’s Gemini 11 mission in 1966. Launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on September 10, 2024, the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft used its forward engines to increase its orbit to an unprecedented height. This milestone, which involved the crew traveling through parts of the Van Allen radiation belts, not only shows improvements in commercial spaceflight capabilities but also offers useful information for upcoming deep space missions.
Initial Business Spacewalk
The Polaris Dawn crew is scheduled to try the first-ever commercial extravehicular activity (EVA) on the third day of the mission. Upgraded versions of the intravehicular suits used during launch and reentry, the new spacesuits that SpaceX designed will be tested by two crew members, Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis, when they step out of the Dragon spaceship. This groundbreaking spacewalk intends to establish a new benchmark for commercial space operations and assess protocols that are critical for upcoming missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Investigations By Scientists In Orbit
The Polaris Dawn crew will carry out more than 40 scientific studies aimed at improving human health both on Earth and in space throughout their voyage. Studying Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS), a disorder that impairs astronauts’ eyesight during extended spaceflight, is one of these. Before, during, and after the trip, the crew will receive eye exams utilizing cutting-edge imaging methods like optical coherence tomography. They will also test SpaceX’s laser-based Starlink communications system in orbit, which will yield important information for upcoming space communication systems. These scientific initiatives will be supported by collaborations with a variety of academic organizations, such as the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and the Translational academic Institute for Space Health.
The Polaris Dawn Crew
Four civilian astronauts make up the Polaris Dawn crew, which is led by millionaire businessman Jared Isaacman. Alongside Isaacman are two SpaceX engineers, Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, who are mission specialists, and retired U.S. Air Force pilot Scott Poteet. Gillis and Menon, who have now flown further from Earth than any other women in history, are making their first spaceflight with this trip. The mission’s lofty objectives, which include testing new spaceflight technology and conducting scientific research, are made possible by the crew’s varied backgrounds and areas of expertise.