Polaris Dawn Mission to Feature First Civilian Spacewalk

SpaceX is set to launch the Polaris Dawn mission on August 27, 2024, marking the first all-civilian spacewalk with a crew of four private citizens, including commander Jared Isaacman. The mission aims to travel up to 870 miles from Earth, surpassing any human travel since the Apollo program, and will last approximately five days. During the mission, two crew members will conduct a spacewalk at 435 miles above Earth, exposing the entire crew to the vacuum of space as the Dragon capsule lacks an airlock. This mission is the first of three planned Polaris flights and will also test SpaceX’s new Extravehicular Activity suits and Starlink communications in space. The Polaris Dawn mission highlights the growing role of private companies in space exploration, raising questions about the safety and reliability of privatized space missions. NASA's concerns regarding the potential risks of commercial operations are underscored by the challenges ahead, including a proposed mission to raise the Hubble Telescope's orbit.