Polaris Dawn Mission Overview

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary objective of the Polaris Dawn mission, beyond setting altitude records?

To assess the feasibility of long-duration civilian space missions.
To evaluate the effects of increased radiation levels on the spacecraft and its crew. (correct)
To conduct a series of experiments on plant growth in microgravity.
To test the Dragon capsule's ability to dock with the International Space Station.

Which of these is true regarding the altitude achieved by the Polaris Dawn mission?

It was the first time a spacecraft passed the 1000 mile mark.
It was slightly inferior to the altitude achieved during the Apollo missions.
It exceeded the altitude record of NASA's Gemini 11 mission by approximately 17 miles. (correct)
It matched the altitude record previously set by the Gemini 11 mission.

Besides Jared Isaacman, what was a commonality between all other members of the Polaris Dawn crew?

They were all ex-military.
They were all directly involved in planning the mission.
They were all SpaceX employees. (correct)
They were all private investors.

What was unique about the spacewalk conducted during the Polaris Dawn mission?

It was the first spacewalk conducted by a crew made up solely of civilians. (B) Signup and view all the answers

When did the Dragon capsule reach its highest altitude during the Polaris Dawn mission?

On September 11, 2024, the day after the launch. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the 'pre-breathing' routine undertaken by the astronauts?

To minimize the risk of decompression sickness. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant design flaw in the new SpaceX spacesuits used during the mission?

They lacked typical life support systems. (A) Signup and view all the answers

During the functionality test, how long did the astronauts complete the spacesuit test?

10 minutes (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the final destination of the Dragon capsule after the mission?

Gulf of Mexico (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the medical tests conducted on Isaacman and his team after returning to Earth?

To aid in developing better astronaut protection strategies. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Polaris Dawn Mission

A mission by SpaceX that sent four civilian astronauts to the International Space Station, breaking altitude records and conducting a pioneering spacewalk.

Dragon Capsule

A reusable spacecraft developed by SpaceX that carried the Polaris Dawn crew to the International Space Station.

Pre-breathing

A procedure astronauts undergo before leaving a spacecraft to prevent decompression sickness.

SpaceX

A private spaceflight company founded by Elon Musk, focusing on reusable rockets and space exploration.