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Questions and Answers
The ascent to 870 miles (1,400 km) altitude by the Polaris Dawn mission notably surpassed the prior human spaceflight altitude record established by NASA's Gemini 11 mission in 1966, which reached approximately ______ miles (1,372 km).
The ascent to 870 miles (1,400 km) altitude by the Polaris Dawn mission notably surpassed the prior human spaceflight altitude record established by NASA's Gemini 11 mission in 1966, which reached approximately ______ miles (1,372 km).
853
The Polaris Dawn mission, spearheaded by Jared Isaacman, strategically targeted an exceptionally high altitude primarily to meticulously evaluate the repercussions of intensified ______ exposure on the Dragon capsule and its crew, aiming to fortify forthcoming lunar and interplanetary expeditions.
The Polaris Dawn mission, spearheaded by Jared Isaacman, strategically targeted an exceptionally high altitude primarily to meticulously evaluate the repercussions of intensified ______ exposure on the Dragon capsule and its crew, aiming to fortify forthcoming lunar and interplanetary expeditions.
radiation
The inaugural civilian spacewalk during the Polaris Dawn mission distinguished itself through the incorporation of novel SpaceX spacesuits, deliberately engineered without integrated life support systems, opting instead for a tethered configuration with a 12-foot cord to supply ______ to the extravehicular astronauts.
The inaugural civilian spacewalk during the Polaris Dawn mission distinguished itself through the incorporation of novel SpaceX spacesuits, deliberately engineered without integrated life support systems, opting instead for a tethered configuration with a 12-foot cord to supply ______ to the extravehicular astronauts.
oxygen
Prior to their pioneering spacewalk, Isaacman and Gillis undertook a meticulously executed 'pre-breathing' regimen in order to proactively mitigate the potential onset of ______ during their extravehicular activity.
Prior to their pioneering spacewalk, Isaacman and Gillis undertook a meticulously executed 'pre-breathing' regimen in order to proactively mitigate the potential onset of ______ during their extravehicular activity.
Upon the reentry and successful splashdown of the Dragon capsule in the Gulf of Mexico, the Polaris Dawn crew promptly initiated a comprehensive series of ______ evaluations, meticulously designed to scrutinize and elucidate the multifaceted physiological consequences of spaceflight exposure on the human body.
Upon the reentry and successful splashdown of the Dragon capsule in the Gulf of Mexico, the Polaris Dawn crew promptly initiated a comprehensive series of ______ evaluations, meticulously designed to scrutinize and elucidate the multifaceted physiological consequences of spaceflight exposure on the human body.
The Polaris Dawn mission involved a crew of all ______ astronauts, marking a departure from traditional space missions involving government-affiliated astronauts.
The Polaris Dawn mission involved a crew of all ______ astronauts, marking a departure from traditional space missions involving government-affiliated astronauts.
The Dragon capsule for the Polaris Dawn mission launched from Kennedy Space Center in ______.
The Dragon capsule for the Polaris Dawn mission launched from Kennedy Space Center in ______.
The SpaceX spacesuits used in the civilian spacewalk lacked life support systems and instead relied on a ______-foot-long cord tethered to the spacecraft to provide oxygen.
The SpaceX spacesuits used in the civilian spacewalk lacked life support systems and instead relied on a ______-foot-long cord tethered to the spacecraft to provide oxygen.
The Polaris Dawn mission is the first of three commercial space missions under the ______ program.
The Polaris Dawn mission is the first of three commercial space missions under the ______ program.
The data gathered from the medical tests on the Polaris Dawn crew post-flight are intended to inform strategies for safeguarding astronauts on prospective ______ and deep-space endeavors.
The data gathered from the medical tests on the Polaris Dawn crew post-flight are intended to inform strategies for safeguarding astronauts on prospective ______ and deep-space endeavors.
Flashcards
Polaris Dawn
Polaris Dawn
The first of three commercial space missions under the Polaris program, completed by SpaceX on September 15, 2024.
Jared Isaacman
Jared Isaacman
Billionaire entrepreneur and mission leader who funded the Polaris missions.
Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon
Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon
SpaceX employees who made history as the first women to fly so far from Earth.
870 miles (1,400 km)
870 miles (1,400 km)
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Gemini 11
Gemini 11
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435 miles (700 km)
435 miles (700 km)
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Civilian Spacewalk
Civilian Spacewalk
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Study Notes
- SpaceX achieved a new milestone with the successful completion of Polaris Dawn on September 15, 2024, the first of three commercial space missions under the Polaris program.
- The five-day flight saw a crew of all-civilian astronauts set several space altitude records and conduct a pioneering spacewalk.
Crew and Launch
- On September 10, 2024, the Dragon capsule lifted off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center.
- Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and funder of the Polaris missions, served as mission leader.
- The crew included SpaceX employees Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, as well as retired US Air Force pilot Scott Poteet.
Altitude Record
- On September 11, 2024, the spacecraft reached its highest point at 870 miles (1,400 km) above Earth.
- This altitude exceeded any human spaceflight since the Apollo missions to the Moon.
- The previous record was held by NASA's Gemini 11 mission, which reached 853 miles (1,372 km) in 1966.
- Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon became the first women to fly so far from Earth.
- The high altitude was reached to assess the impact of increased radiation levels on the Dragon capsule and its crew to help prepare for future missions.
Civilian Spacewalk
- The spacecraft descended to a cruising altitude of 435 miles (700 km) above Earth for the first-ever civilian spacewalk.
- Isaacman and Gillis prepared for the spacewalk on September 12, 2024, wearing new SpaceX spacesuits and undergoing a "pre-breathing" routine.
- The new spacesuits lacked traditional life support systems; instead, Isaacman and Gillis were tethered to the spacecraft by a 12-foot cord providing oxygen.
- The astronauts were holding onto a special set of rails.
- After a successful 10-minute spacesuit functionality test, the astronauts safely re-entered the Dragon spacecraft.
Mission Conclusion and Follow-Up
- The mission concluded at 3:37 a.m. ET on September 15, with the Dragon and its crew splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Following the return to Earth, Issacman and his team underwent medical tests to assess the effects of space travel on their bodies.
- The findings will help scientists develop strategies to protect astronauts on future lunar and deep-space missions.
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