SpaceX's Polaris Dawn is set for an launch, preparing for an extraterrestrial excursion.
Four individuals embark on an adventurous journey, funded privately under the "Polaris Dawn" project. Their objective is to venture as far as 1400 kilometers away from Earth, a distance last accomplished during the Apollo missions to the moon in the 1970s. Orbiting at about 400 kilometers, the International Space Station (ISS) serves as a point of comparison.
Billionaire Jared Isaacman leads this up to five-day mission in collaboration with SpaceX founder Elon Musk. Joining Isaacman are fellow astronauts Kidd Poteet, Sarah Gillis, and Anna Menon. From NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, they launch in a Crew Dragon spacecraft carried by a Falcon 9 rocket.
The capsule, around eight by four meters, has a capacity for up to seven individuals for up to ten days. Rest and relief are offered in reclined seats, and essential conveniences like a toilet are situated behind a privacy screen.
Spacewalk at 700 Kilometers Altitude
An exciting event, a spacewalk, is scheduled at approximately 700 kilometers in altitude. Here, a private space company will test a brand-new spacesuit for activities beyond the spacecraft. This claims to be the "first commercial spacewalk," boasting improved mobility thanks to recent advancements. A built-in helmet display, camera, and novel materials for effective temperature control in chilly space conditions make this suit unique.
Spacewalks have higher risk levels compared to staying complacent inside spacecraft. Astronauts must address microgravity, extreme temperature swings, ensure oxygen supply, and protect against radiation. Any disruption in oxygen supply or separation from the spacecraft can lead to perilous scenarios. Normally, spacewalks in the ISS focus on maintenance or scientific research. However, these are significant for lunar and Mars missions. SpaceX intends to evaluate these suits for potential future missions to the moon and Mars.
The astronauts also aim to conduct research projects, such as analyzing how space travel and radiation affect human health. Additionally, the functionalities of a laser-based communication technology from SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet program would be examined.
NASA Pushes Back Mars Preparations
Originally planned for launch, "Polaris Dawn" faced numerous delays due to poor weather conditions and State Aviation Agency's (FAA) concerns following a previous mishap during a different launch.
"To construct a moon base and a Mars city, thousands of spacesuits are required," asserted the project managers. Conducting this test spacewalk plays a pivotal role in developing a scalable and durable design for future deep-space missions as humankind transitions to multi-planetary existence.
Space exploration to Mars is NASA's long-term vision. Utilizing its "Artemis" program, it intends to revisit the moon, a feat that hasn't occurred for over half a century. The moon base will serve as a foundation for Mars missions.
The planned lunar mission scheduled for November 2024 as part of "Artemis 2" has been postponed by NASA to September 2025, owing to issues with the rocket and spacecraft. The expected manned lunar landing in "Artemis 3" has also been delayed to September 2026.
Mars launch in 2026 - as per Musk
In contrast, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk still envisions the long-distance trek to Mars as early as the following year, albeit temporarily without astronauts. "The initial Mars-bound spacecraft will launch in two years during the next Earth-Mars transfer window," Musk published on his platform X over the weekend. These trials will assess the feasibility of Mars landings.
"If these landings prove successful, the first manned missions to Mars are set to take place four years later," Musk added. He envisions a self-sustaining city on Mars within two decades.
The NASA team closely watches SpaceX's tests, as successful outcomes could influence NASA's own Mars mission plans. The NASA, with its Artemis program, aims to return to the moon by 2026, preparing for future Mars missions.
During the mission, the astronauts will examine the functionality of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet technology, which could potentially be used for communication during deep-space missions.
