SpaceX, known for its significant space missions, is preparing for a new mission called Polaris Dawn. Set to launch on August 26, Monday, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Polaris Dawn mission is anticipated to be extraordinary according to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Here are the details…
SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn Mission Will Reach 700 Kilometers Above Earth
The mission is planned to be completed between August 26, Monday, and August 31, Saturday. The Crew Dragon spacecraft will carry two crew members and two passengers. The crew includes mission commander Jared Isaacman, CEO of payment processing firm Shift4 and financier of Polaris Dawn, along with SpaceX’s lead space operations engineer Sarah Gillis, retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel Scott Poteet, and SpaceX’s lead space operations engineer Anna Menon.
According to the plan, the Crew Dragon spacecraft will orbit Earth for several days without docking with the International Space Station (ISS). The spacecraft will be approximately 700 kilometers above Earth, and 298 kilometers higher than the ISS.
This will be the highest altitude ever reached by Crew Dragon. Musk also notes that this mission will be notable as it will feature the first commercial spacewalk. During the spacewalk, the crew will test a new space suit designed specifically for extravehicular activities.
SpaceX’s statement highlights that thousands of space suits will be needed for building a base on the Moon and a city on Mars. The aim is to produce the most ergonomic and well-designed suits through these types of missions.
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