
Polaris Dawn, a private space mission, has successfully launched into orbit, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. This significant move in the space industry marks the world's first-ever private spacewalk during the mission action viewed by many as historic and one that will elevate human space flight to new dimensions.
What is Polaris Dawn?
Polaris Dawn is a private spaceflight mission led and sponsored by billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, who also leads the mission. The spacecraft was launched with four crew members including, Isaacman, Sarah Gillis, Anna Menon, and Scott "Kidd" Poteet.
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However, the mission would be conducting several experiments and testing functionality in their spacesuits while performing a spacewalk.
SpaceX Polaris Dawn launched
The Polaris Dawn spacecraft launched atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre for the first time into an elliptical orbit with a high point of about 745 miles.
Moreover, for five days, the crew of the spacecraft is going to stay in space, performing a great amount of work about experiments and preparation for the historic spacewalk.
The spacewalk scheduled for the mission's second day will be the first commercial spacewalk ever; the crew will try the functionality and manoeuvrability of their suits, while Isaacman and Gillis go out of the spacecraft.
Around 40 science experiments would be conducted on this mission, including a Starlink demo.
Polaris Dawn return journey
When all the mission objectives are accomplished, the crew will prepare for their return journey and splash down in the ocean six days after liftoff.
However, with the successful launch and orbit of Polaris Dawn, private space exploration has taken a significant step forward.