A spacewalk, or extravehicular activity (EVA), is when an astronaut exits their spacecraft to work in the vacuum of space.They wear a specialized spacesuit for protection and use tethers for safety. Spacewalks are performed for various tasks,including repairs, installations, and scientific experiments.
1. What is unique about the Polaris Dawn mission?
It is the first-ever space mission with an all-civilian crew attempting a spacewalk.
2. Who is leading the mission?
Jared Isaacman, CEO of Shift4 Payments, is commanding the mission. He previously led the Inspiration4 all-civilian orbital mission.
3. What are the key objectives of the Polaris Dawn mission?
Reach a peak altitude of 1,400 km, going further into space than any manned mission in over 50 years.
Conduct the first all-civilian spacewalk.
Gather data on radiation exposure in the Van Allen radiation belt.
Test laser-based satellite communication with Starlink.
Carry out 36 scientific experiments, including tests on microelectronics-embedded contact lenses.
4. Who are the other crew members?
Scott Poteet (pilot), a retired US Air Force lieutenant colonel
Sarah Gillis (mission specialist), a lead space operations engineer at SpaceX
Anna Menon (mission specialist and medical officer), also a lead space operations engineer at SpaceX
5. What spacecraft is being used for the mission?
A SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule launched on a Falcon 9 rocket.
6. How long will the mission last?
The mission is planned for approximately five days.
7. What kind of training did the crew undergo?
The crew underwent over two years of rigorous training, including simulator sessions, skydiving, centrifuge training, scuba diving, and mountain climbing.
8. What is the significance of this mission?
It marks a major step in private space exploration, showcasing increased access to space for non-professional astronauts.
It will contribute to scientific research in areas like radiation exposure, space communication, and healthcare technologies.
9. What does this mission signify for the future of space exploration?
Polaris Dawn highlights the growing role of private companies like SpaceX in advancing space exploration and making human spaceflight more accessible. It paves the way for future missions that could involve more civilians and push the boundaries of space travel even further.
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