Podcast
Questions and Answers
What significant milestone did SpaceX achieve on September 15, 2024?
What significant milestone did SpaceX achieve on September 15, 2024?
- Establishment of a permanent lunar base.
- Development of a new rocket prototype.
- Completion of the Polaris Dawn mission. (correct)
- Launch of the first autonomous spacecraft.
Who served as the mission leader during the Polaris Dawn mission?
Who served as the mission leader during the Polaris Dawn mission?
- Jared Isaacman (correct)
- Sarah Gillis
- Anna Menon
- Scott Poteet
What was the altitude reached by the Dragon capsule on September 11, 2024?
What was the altitude reached by the Dragon capsule on September 11, 2024?
- 810 miles
- 853 miles
- 700 miles
- 870 miles (correct)
What was the primary scientific purpose of the high-altitude flight during the Polaris Dawn mission?
What was the primary scientific purpose of the high-altitude flight during the Polaris Dawn mission?
What feature did the new SpaceX spacesuits notably lack during the mission?
What feature did the new SpaceX spacesuits notably lack during the mission?
What was the duration of the civilian spacewalk conducted during the Polaris Dawn mission?
What was the duration of the civilian spacewalk conducted during the Polaris Dawn mission?
Which previous mission held the record for the highest human spaceflight before the Polaris Dawn mission?
Which previous mission held the record for the highest human spaceflight before the Polaris Dawn mission?
How did Isaacman and Gillis prepare for the civilian spacewalk in terms of safety measures?
How did Isaacman and Gillis prepare for the civilian spacewalk in terms of safety measures?
Flashcards
Polaris Program
Polaris Program
A commercial spaceflight program by SpaceX involving multiple missions with civilian astronauts aimed at pushing the boundaries of space exploration.
Polaris Dawn
Polaris Dawn
The first mission in the Polaris program, launched in September 2024, featuring a crew of all civilian astronauts who set space altitude records, conducted a spacewalk, and collected data on radiation levels.
Space Altitude Record
Space Altitude Record
The highest point reached during a spaceflight, indicating the farthest distance from Earth achieved by a spacecraft.
Spacewalk
Spacewalk
Signup and view all the flashcards
Spacesuit
Spacesuit
Signup and view all the flashcards
Decompression Sickness
Decompression Sickness
Signup and view all the flashcards
Space Radiation
Space Radiation
Signup and view all the flashcards
Cruising Altitude
Cruising Altitude
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
SpaceX Polaris Dawn Mission
- SpaceX completed Polaris Dawn, the first of three missions under the Polaris program, successfully on September 15, 2024.
- A civilian crew aboard the Dragon capsule performed a pioneering spacewalk.
- The mission used a Dragon capsule that launched from Florida's Kennedy Space Center on September 10, 2024.
- Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur, led the mission, along with SpaceX employees Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, and retired US Air Force pilot Scott Poteet.
Mission Highlights
- The spacecraft reached a record altitude of 870 miles (1,400 km) above Earth, surpassing the previous record held by Gemini 11.
- This altitude was reached on September 11, 2024.
- This was the highest human spaceflight altitude since the Apollo missions.
- The flight also saw Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon become the first women to achieve such high altitude.
- The mission aimed to study the increased radiation levels at higher altitudes on the Dragon capsule and crew.
- A crucial test was the first-ever civilian spacewalk.
- This occurred on September 12, 2024, with Isaacman and Gillis.
- They wore new SpaceX spacesuits without traditional life support systems, connected by a 12-foot tether.
- The spacewalk lasted for 10 minutes.
Mission Conclusion
- The Dragon capsule successfully splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico on September 15, 2024, at 3:37 a.m. ET.
- Post-mission medical tests are evaluating the effects of space travel on the crew.
- The data gathered from these tests will contribute to future lunar and deep-space mission preparations.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the highlights of the SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission, which marked a significant milestone in human spaceflight. Led by Jared Isaacman, this mission achieved a record altitude and included pioneering spacewalks by a civilian crew. Learn about the groundbreaking achievements of the astronauts involved and their contributions to space exploration.
