On September 12, 2024, SpaceX marked a major milestone in the commercial spaceflight industry with its Polaris Dawn mission. The crew, consisting of four members, embarked on a daring journey aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, setting out to achieve the world’s first commercial spacewalk. This mission, part of a broader vision to advance space exploration, underscores the rapidly growing role of private companies in space endeavors. The spacewalk, led by Jared Isaacman, billionaire entrepreneur and mission commander, alongside Sarah Gillis, a SpaceX engineer, represents a significant leap towards human space exploration beyond government-led initiatives.
The Polaris Dawn Mission and Crew
Polaris Dawn is not just a regular space mission. It is a privately funded and operated mission, blending the aspirations of SpaceX and its founder Elon Musk with the vision of Jared Isaacman. Isaacman, the CEO of Shift4 Payments, who also funded the Inspiration4 mission in 2021, leads the Polaris Dawn mission. The mission comprises a four-person crew:
- Jared Isaacman (EV1): The mission commander, philanthropist, and space enthusiast, whose callsign is “Rook.”
- Sarah Gillis (EV2): A SpaceX engineer and mission specialist, responsible for space operations. Her callsign is “Cooper.”
- Scott “Kidd” Poteet: A former U.S. Air Force pilot and long-time friend of Isaacman. His role as Support-1 provides mission coordination inside the capsule.
- Anna Menon: A SpaceX engineer and medical officer for the mission, serving as Support-2 during the spacewalk. She goes by the callsign “Walker.”
Isaacman and Gillis are at the forefront of the spacewalk, while Poteet and Menon remain in the Crew Dragon capsule, offering support throughout the mission. Their collective expertise and collaboration set the foundation for the successful execution of this complex operation.
First Commercial Spacewalk: A New Era in Space Exploration
The commercial spacewalk undertaken by Isaacman and Gillis symbolizes the dawn of a new era in space exploration—one where private companies take on roles traditionally occupied by government agencies like NASA. This spacewalk, although groundbreaking, is also a testbed for future missions that aim to push the boundaries of human exploration.
Suit Preparation and Safety Measures
Before venturing into the vacuum of space, extensive precautions were taken. The crew underwent a meticulous preparation process that included a “suit purge,” where pure oxygen began to flow into their Extravehicular Activity (EVA) suits. This ensured the suits were free from any nitrogen, which could cause decompression sickness when exposed to the vacuum of space. The “pre-breathe” process, which lasted 45 hours, helped to further protect the crew from the dangers of the bends—a condition caused by nitrogen bubbles forming in the bloodstream.
The EVA suits used for the mission, although developed by SpaceX, lack some of the more advanced features of NASA’s ISS suits. For instance, the SpaceX EVA suits do not have a Primary Life Support System (PLSS), which provides greater mobility and allows astronauts to work outside spacecraft like the International Space Station (ISS). Instead, the Polaris Dawn crew’s life support system relied on hoses connected to the capsule, limiting their range of movement but ensuring a safe connection to essential oxygen supplies.
Challenges of the Commercial Spacewalk
Even with advanced planning, space missions are inherently risky. The crew had to deal with communication challenges as the Crew Dragon capsule orbited the Earth at speeds exceeding 17,000 miles per hour. Although SpaceX tested the Starlink internet system for in-space communications, they opted not to use it for the spacewalk. This decision meant that the live feed was interrupted intermittently, especially when the spacecraft moved out of range of ground stations.
“Since we are not using Starlink to enable views today, there will be moments of expected loss of signal due to ground station coverage,” explained Kate Tice, a SpaceX engineer, during a webcast of the mission.
Despite these limitations, the mission controllers expressed confidence in the overall success of the event. The crew’s safety was paramount, and they were monitored closely from the ground.
A Glimpse Inside the Cabin
Before the spacewalk began, SpaceX provided a view inside the Crew Dragon capsule, showcasing the crew in action. Scott Poteet was seen floating in his seat, while Jared Isaacman was preparing near the hatch, his head pointed toward the spacecraft door. This glimpse highlighted the team’s calm demeanor, reinforcing the importance of teamwork in carrying out the mission.
SpaceX’s Vision for Affordable Space Suits
A central theme of the Polaris Dawn mission is affordability in space exploration. SpaceX has long emphasized the need for cost-effective solutions to enable broader participation in space. This mission aligns with that vision, particularly in the development of the EVA suits. In contrast to the bespoke NASA suits used for missions like those aboard the ISS, SpaceX aims to design suits that can be produced at scale and at a lower cost.
Isaacman shared his aspirations with Elon Musk, stating, “We need space suits. And, you know, they shouldn’t cost hundreds of millions of dollars. We need tens of thousands of them someday.” This forward-looking approach hints at SpaceX’s plans to enable human settlements in space, a goal that would require mass production of essential space equipment.
NASA’s Role in Polaris Dawn
Although Polaris Dawn is a private mission, it still benefited from the expertise and oversight of NASA. While NASA took a backseat in the operation, it offered valuable support throughout the planning and testing phases. According to Anna Menon, “NASA has decades of wisdom and experience when it comes to spacewalks.” This experience was crucial in preparing the crew for the mission, particularly in the use of NASA facilities for suit testing in vacuum environments.
NASA’s involvement also included advisory roles, with technical experts reviewing mission plans and providing feedback on equipment and safety protocols. This collaboration between public and private sectors highlights the importance of shared knowledge in advancing space exploration.
Future Implications of the Polaris Dawn Mission
The success of the first commercial spacewalk has far-reaching implications for the future of space exploration. SpaceX and other private companies are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in space, moving beyond government-sponsored missions and toward a future where commercial enterprises play a central role.
Expanding Human Presence in Space
The ultimate vision of SpaceX is to establish human settlements on other planets, with Mars being the most prominent target. To achieve this, cost-efficient technologies, including space suits, spacecraft, and life support systems, will be essential. The Polaris Dawn mission serves as a stepping stone toward these larger ambitions. By demonstrating the feasibility of private spacewalks, SpaceX is inching closer to making space travel more accessible and sustainable.
Conclusion
The Polaris Dawn mission represents a significant achievement in the world of commercial spaceflight. With the first commercial spacewalk now in the history books, SpaceX continues to push the boundaries of human exploration. From innovative EVA suits to the collaboration with NASA, this mission highlights the importance of cooperation between public and private entities in advancing space exploration. As SpaceX continues to develop cost-effective solutions for space travel, the future of human space exploration looks brighter and more accessible than ever before. The commercial spacewalk achieved today is just the beginning, setting the stage for more ambitious missions in the years to come.
