Polaris Dawn’s first commercial spacewalk mission delayed again, SpaceX yet to announce new date

The Polaris Dawn mission will be launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, with SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft carrying a crew of four. Over the course of five days in space, the crew will pursue a range of mission objectives designed to push the boundaries of commercial space exploration. During the mission, the astronauts will conduct experiments aimed at advancing our understanding of space travel and its impact on human health. One of the key studies will involve monitoring the astronauts' health to assess the effects of space radiation on their bodies.

The mission objectives

Reaching new heights: Polaris Dawn will attempt to reach the highest Earth orbit since the 1972 Apollo programme, targeting an altitude of 700km. This will take the crew through parts of the Van Allen radiation belt, allowing scientists to gather data on the effects of space radiation on human health.

First commercial spacewalk: The mission will mark the first-ever commercial spacewalk, with the crew using SpaceX-designed extravehicular activity (EVA) suits. These advanced suits are designed to offer enhanced mobility, improved helmet displays, and advanced thermal management, representing a key step towards developing suits for future long-duration missions.

Starlink laser-based communications: The crew will also test Starlink’s laser-based satellite communications in orbit. This technology aims to improve communication speed and quality, laying the foundation for future missions to destinations like the Moon and Mars.

Human health research: The crew will conduct nearly 40 experiments, with a focus on understanding the effects of long-duration spaceflight on human health. Key studies will explore radiation exposure and Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), a known risk to astronauts. The crew will also collect biological samples to contribute to a Biobank for long-term research on space mission health risks.

The mission's success could open new avenues for commercial space exploration and build momentum for future missions targeting deeper space objectives.

The crew members 

The four-person Polaris Dawn crew includes Jared Isaacman, who will serve as the mission commander. Isaacman previously commanded the Inspiration4 mission, the first all-civilian crewed mission to space in 2021. Joining him are Scott 'Kidd' Poteet, mission pilot and retired US Air Force lieutenant colonel, Sarah Gillis, mission specialist and SpaceX lead space operations engineer, and Anna Menon, mission specialist and medical officer, also a lead space operations engineer at SpaceX.

For Gillis and Menon, this mission marks a significant milestone as they become the first SpaceX employees to be part of a human spaceflight crew.

In addition to advancing space exploration, the mission will also support a charitable cause by raising funds for St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which provides care for children battling serious illnesses.