Polaris Dawn Mission: Civilian Spacewalk

Polaris Dawn Mission Overview

• Polaris Dawn was the first all-civilian team to complete a spacewalk.
• The mission lasted five days, from launch to splashdown.
• The crew reached an orbit of 870 miles above Earth.
• SpaceX astronauts flew further than any women in history during this mission.
• The Dragon capsule flew higher than any crewed mission since the Apollo moon flights over 50 years ago.
• The mission aimed to further SpaceX's goal of making life multiplanetary.

Crew and Activities

• The crew consisted of Mission Commander Jared Isaacman, Mission Specialist Sara Gillis, Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Anna Menen, and pilot Scott Poteet.
• They conducted 40 research experiments during the mission.
• The crew performed a high-risk operation that involved opening the entire capsule, exposing all four members to the vacuum of space.
• Billionaire entrepreneur and SpaceX engineer Jared Isaacman ventured outside the capsule.

Mission Outcomes and Impact

• The mission provided valuable information about the challenges of space.
• The crew shared music with the cosmos.
• They made a long-distance call with young cancer patients at St. Jude's Research Center.
• Sara Gillis read from her book, "Kisses From Space," which tells the story of a momma dragon who journeys to space and shares her journey with her baby dragons on Earth.

Spacewalk Experience

• Opening the hatch was described as an unbelievable experience by the crew.
• It was noted that no one has built new spacesuits for spacewalks in 40 years due to the difficulty.
• The suits used are intended to be the basis for suits that will eventually go to Mars.
• The spacewalk involved a combination of visual, physical, adrenaline, pressure, and temperature changes.
• The view from outside the capsule included a blue line of the horizon and the depths of space all around.

Perspective Shift

• The views of Earth were described as amazing and mesmerizing.
• The experience increased the crew's desire to be more involved in nature and the world and to travel.
• The crew conducted many science and research experiments.

Fundraising for St. Jude's

• Creating a book allowed Sara Gillis to connect back to her kids on Earth while being far away in space.
• The mission raised over $250 million for St. Jude's, and proceeds from the book will continue to contribute to the hospital.

Future of Space Travel

• Jared Isaacman expressed a desire to make space accessible to everyone.
• He believes there is much to learn in space, and we have only scratched the surface.
• SpaceX is working towards rapidly reusable spaceships to venture out and learn in space
• Potential discoveries in space include new forms of energy, 3D printing organs, and mining asteroids.
• Space travel could ensure the survival of humanity by venturing among the stars.