SpaceX is poised to make history with the upcoming Polaris Dawn mission, marking the first-ever civilian spacewalk. Scheduled for launch on August 30, this groundbreaking mission will see four crew members venture into the vastness of space, a feat previously reserved for government-trained astronauts. The Polaris Dawn mission is set to redefine the landscape of civilian space exploration, making it potentially one of the most hazardous missions to date.
A significant risk factor lies in the Crew Dragon spacecraft, which lacks an airlock. Traditionally, astronauts performing spacewalks, or extravehicular activities (EVAs), utilize a sealed room on the International Space Station. Air is evacuated from this room to maintain a safe environment, allowing astronauts to exit into open space. In contrast, during the Polaris Dawn mission, the entire spacecraft will undergo depressurization, requiring all crew members to don specialized EVA suits for a two-hour period on the third day of the mission. While this approach echoes protocols used during NASA’s Gemini and Apollo missions, it raises safety concerns compared to EVAs conducted with access to a secure airlock.
Mission commander Jared Isaacman emphasized the risks during a recent press briefing. “You’re throwing away all the safety of your vehicle, right? And it now comes down to your suit – it becomes your spaceship,” he stated. Isaacman, a key figure behind SpaceX’s Polaris program, highlights the challenges faced by the crew.
The newly designed spacesuits introduce another layer of risk. Though they’ve undergone rigorous testing in vacuum chambers, untested equipment inherently carries uncertainties. Additionally, this mission will take the crew farther from Earth than any human since 1972, exposing them to potential radiation and micrometeorite hazards.
Among the four crew members, only Isaacman brings prior spaceflight experience. The team also includes a retired test pilot, the head astronaut trainer at SpaceX, and a lead space operations engineer. All crew members have undergone intensive training and have worked in mission control for previous SpaceX flights.
“These are not government astronauts, but they are not space tourists either – they are seasoned professionals,” noted a space industry consultant. “The selection of these four individuals is exemplary for this mission.” Despite the inherent risks of the Polaris Dawn venture, the extensive preparation conducted by SpaceX alongside its crew is designed to significantly minimize potential dangers. While no space mission is entirely devoid of risk, particularly a spacewalk, the crew will also engage in nearly 40 scientific experiments during their time in orbit.
“While every EVA is risky, I would not say this is extraordinarily risky,” said the consultant. “They have meticulously prepared for every possible scenario, complete with backups and redundancies.”
Topics:
