SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn: The Most Ambitious Private Space Mission Ever

Introduction

Embark on a historic journey with Polaris Dawn, a private space mission that aims to push the boundaries of human exploration by reaching the highest Earth orbit ever flown, while inspiring dreams and advancing scientific frontiers.

Polaris Dawn, SpaceX’s inaugural mission under the Polaris Program, aspires to enhance human health and expand spaceflight capabilities while trialing innovative technologies. The mission will investigate Starlink’s laser-based communications and contribute to spacesuit design studies. Risk management strategies and contingency plans are integral to its success.

Principal technologies encompass SpaceX-designed spacesuits, Starlink communications, ultrasound tools, and risk management applications. These advancements strive to augment human spaceflight capabilities, encompassing task execution, extended-range communications, and immediate health monitoring.

The mission is motivated by the ambition to improve human health, stimulate future generations, and stimulate public participation in space exploration. Moreover, it seeks to validate the practicality of reusable space vehicles and their components.

The mission will deploy the SpaceX Crew Dragon from the Kennedy Space Center, spending up to five days in orbit to conduct research and assess communications. The crew, consisting of four private citizens, is headed by Jared Isaacman, the founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments. NASA provides guidance and support, with St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital acting as the beneficiary and research collaborator.

Polaris Dawn: A Strategic and Technological Breakthrough for SpaceX

At the forefront of innovation, Polaris Dawn signifies a paradigm shift in space exploration, propelling SpaceX to new heights and paving the way for strategic breakthroughs in technology and beyond.

Polaris Dawn is one of the most ambitious and innovative missions of SpaceX, the first of three planned missions in a program named the Polaris Program.

It aligns with the broader goals, plans, and policies of SpaceX, as well as the overall space program. The mission will advance both human health on Earth and our understanding of human health during future long-duration spaceflights.

Polaris Dawn will also test Starlink laser-based communications in space, which are essential for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond . Moreover, it will contribute to the development of a scalable design for spacesuits on future long-duration missions, as well as research on space radiation and decompression sickness .

Polaris Dawn represents a strategic and technological breakthrough for SpaceX. It aligns with the company’s vision of making humanity multiplanetary, advancing human health and spaceflight capabilities, testing innovative technologies and systems, and adapting to changing circumstances and opportunities. The mission will also achieve several historic milestones in space exploration, such as reaching the highest Earth orbit ever flown, conducting the first commercial spacewalk, and testing Starlink laser-based communications in space. Polaris Dawn serves as a testament to the ingenuity, ambition, and collaboration of SpaceX and its partners.

The strategic planning, program execution, and application of knowledge and skills of SpaceX provide a comprehensive view of the structural elements guiding the project’s conception and implementation.

Space technologies involved in Polaris Dawn

The state-of-the-art space technologies involved in Polaris Dawn are numerous and innovative. Some of these technologies include:

• SpaceX-designed extravehicular activity (EVA) spacesuits: These are spacesuits that are upgraded from the current intravehicular (IVA) suit, which is designed for launch and re-entry. The EVA spacesuits will allow the crew to perform the first-ever commercial spacewalk outside the Crew Dragon capsule at approximately 700 kilometers above the Earth. The EVA spacesuits are also designed to be compatible with the Starship vehicle, which is SpaceX’s next-generation spacecraft for deep space exploration.
• Starlink laser-based communications: These are communications that use laser links between satellites to provide high-speed internet access around the world. Starlink laser-based communications will be tested for the first time in space by Polaris Dawn crew, providing valuable data for future space communications systems necessary for missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond. The laser links will also enable Starlink satellites to operate without ground stations in remote regions, such as polar areas.

• Ultrasound technology: This is a technology that uses sound waves to create images of internal organs and structures. Ultrasound technology will be used by Polaris Dawn crew to monitor, detect, and quantify venous gas emboli (VGE), which are bubbles that form in blood vessels due to decompression. This will contribute to studies on human prevalence to decompression sickness, which is a key risk factor for human health in long-duration spaceflight. Ultrasound technology will also be used for other health-related research, such as measuring fluid shifts, bone density, and muscle mass changes in microgravity.

These technologies have high relevance and potential impact on space exploration and utilization. They will enable new capabilities for human spaceflight, such as performing complex tasks outside the spacecraft, communicating effectively across vast distances, and monitoring real-time health conditions. They will also provide new insights into the effects of the space environment on human biological systems, such as radiation exposure, fluid shifts, and bone loss.

The project’s adaptability to potential changes

The project’s framework is adaptable to potential changes in strategy, technology, or policy in the broader space program or the initiating organization. Polaris Dawn is designed to be flexible and scalable, accommodating different payloads, orbits, and durations. The mission can also leverage the existing infrastructure and expertise of SpaceX, as well as its partners, to adjust to changing requirements and opportunities. For example, Polaris Dawn could potentially support future missions of the Polaris Program, such as boosting the Hubble Space Telescope to a higher orbit or sending humans to the Moon .

Risk management

Risk management in Polaris Dawn involves rigorous testing, simulation, and training procedures, as well as contingency plans for potential execution challenges. SpaceX has a proven track record of safely and reliably launching and landing Falcon 9 rockets and Crew Dragon capsules . Extensive tests and simulations have been conducted on the EVA spacesuits and Starlink laser-based communications to ensure their functionality and performance . The crew has undergone rigorous training in various aspects of the mission, such as orbital mechanics, spacecraft operation, spacewalk procedures, experiments, and emergency protocols . In the event of unforeseen events or anomalies during the mission, SpaceX has contingency plans in place, including abort scenarios, backup systems, and rescue operations .

Polaris Dawn: A Purposeful and Beneficial Space Project

Revolutionizing Space Exploration: Polaris Dawn’s purposeful and beneficial space project aims to provide essential services, advance commercial space resource exploitation, and enhance defense capabilities, paving the way for a new era of space exploration.

Polaris Dawn is a space project with multiple motivations and benefits for SpaceX, the broader space program, and society. The project involves various stakeholders with different interests and expectations. It aims to provide essential services to Earth, advance commercial space resource exploitation, and enhance defense capabilities in the United States. Polaris Dawn holds high potential value, delivering economic returns, scientific discoveries, and social benefits. Understanding the strategic and societal value of Polaris Dawn helps comprehend its purpose and alignment with sustainability objectives.

Main motivations and benefits of Polaris Dawn:

• Advancing human health on Earth and in space: Polaris Dawn will conduct scientific research to improve human health during long-duration spaceflights and on Earth. Research areas include monitoring and quantifying venous gas emboli (VGE) using ultrasound, studying the effects of space radiation on human biological systems, contributing to a long-term Biobank for multi-omics analyses, and researching Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), a significant risk in long-duration spaceflight . These research activities have the potential to enhance disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for both astronauts and the general population.
• Testing innovative technologies and systems: Polaris Dawn will test state-of-the-art space technologies and systems crucial for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. These include SpaceX-designed extravehicular activity (EVA) spacesuits, enabling the first-ever commercial spacewalk outside the Crew Dragon capsule at approximately 700 kilometers above Earth; Starlink laser-based communications, providing global high-speed internet access through satellite laser links; and Falcon 9 rockets and Crew Dragon capsules, reusable launch vehicles delivering payloads to various orbits and returning for landing and reuse . These advancements in technology facilitate complex tasks outside the spacecraft, effective long-distance communication, and cost reduction in space transportation.

• Making history and inspiring future generations: Polaris Dawn will achieve several pioneering milestones in space exploration, such as reaching the highest Earth orbit ever flown, conducting the first commercial spacewalk, and testing Starlink laser-based communications in space . The mission aims to inspire future generations by showcasing the possibilities of human potential and achievement in space. Additionally, Polaris Dawn will raise funds for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, a leading institution in treating childhood cancer and life-threatening diseases . The mission also aims to promote public awareness and engagement in space exploration through media platforms and educational programs .

Polaris Dawn aims to provide essential services to Earth, advance the commercial exploitation of space resources, and enhance the defense capabilities of the United States. The mission conducts scientific research to improve human health on Earth and in space, tests technologies and systems for global high-speed internet access, and raises funds for a leading medical center treating childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases . It also demonstrates the feasibility and profitability of reusable launch vehicles, spacecraft, spacesuits, and communications, reducing the costs of space transportation and creating new opportunities in space . Additionally, Polaris Dawn supports the development of American space technologies and systems, improving situational awareness, communication, navigation, and deterrence in space, thus enhancing US defense capabilities.

Polaris Dawn: A Physical and Operational Overview

Unlocking the mysteries of space, Polaris Dawn intertwines cutting-edge technologies with meticulous planning to ensure a successful mission.

Polaris Dawn is a space project involving physical components and operations such as spacecraft, launchers, and stations. It utilizes existing or emerging space technologies like reusable launch vehicles, spacecraft, spacesuits, and communications. Rigorous testing, simulation, training procedures, and contingency plans are employed to address potential technical glitches or malfunctions. The project incorporates planned redundancy in its components or operations to mitigate risks or failures.

Spacecraft

The spacecraft involved in the Polaris Dawn mission is the SpaceX Crew Dragon, a reusable capsule that can carry up to seven people and cargo to low Earth orbit and beyond. The Crew Dragon has a conical shape with a diameter of 4 meters and a height of 8.1 meters. It has eight SuperDraco engines for launch escape and propulsive landing, as well as 16 Draco thrusters for attitude control and orbital maneuvering. The spacecraft also has a trunk section that provides solar power, thermal control, and unpressurized cargo space. The trunk can be jettisoned before reentry and burns up in the atmosphere.

The Crew Dragon can perform autonomous docking and undocking with the International Space Station (ISS) or other orbital destinations. It can also be controlled manually by the crew or by mission control on the ground. The spacecraft has a life support system that provides a comfortable environment for the crew, as well as a communication system that allows voice and data transmission with Earth and other spacecraft. The Crew Dragon can also deploy payloads such as satellites or experiments from its trunk or from its docking port.

The Crew Dragon uses several advanced technologies to enhance its performance and safety. Some of these technologies are:

• Heat shield: The spacecraft has a heat shield made of PICA-X, a material that can withstand temperatures of up to 1650°C during reentry.
• Launch escape system: The spacecraft has a launch escape system that can quickly separate the capsule from the rocket in case of an emergency during ascent. The system uses eight SuperDraco engines that can provide up to 120,000 pounds of thrust in 0.5 seconds.
• Touchscreen interface: The spacecraft has a touchscreen interface that allows the crew to monitor and control the vehicle’s systems and functions. The interface also displays real-time information such as altitude, velocity, and trajectory.
• Environmental control and life support system (ECLSS): The spacecraft has an ECLSS that regulates the temperature, pressure, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels inside the capsule. The system also provides oxygen, water, and waste management for the crew.

Launcher

Polaris Dawn utilizes the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, a partially reusable two-stage launch vehicle capable of delivering payloads to various orbits and returning to Earth for landing and reuse. The Falcon 9 rocket features a first stage capable of propulsive landing on land or autonomous drone ships at sea, a second stage for placing payloads into orbit or beyond, nine Merlin engines generating over 1.7 million pounds of thrust at sea level, and a fairing for payload protection during ascent and recovery by ships equipped with nets.

Spaceport

The spaceport being utilized for the Polaris Dawn mission is the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, USA. KSC is one of the most historic and iconic spaceports in the world, having launched many famous missions such as Apollo 11, Skylab, Space Shuttle, and Curiosity. KSC is also the home of Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A), the launch pad that will be used for the Polaris Dawn mission. LC-39A has been leased by SpaceX since 2014 and has been modified to accommodate the Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon vehicles. LC-39A has also been the launch site for many notable SpaceX missions, such as Demo-2, Crew-1, Crew-2, and Inspiration4.

Mission scenario

The mission scenario of Polaris Dawn is as follows: No earlier than late summer 2023, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Polaris Dawn mission from historic Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft and the Polaris Dawn crew will spend up to five days in orbit . During this time, they will perform various activities, including flying to the highest Earth orbit ever achieved, orbiting through portions of the Van Allen radiation belt, conducting research on human health and space radiation, attempting the first-ever commercial spacewalk outside the Crew Dragon capsule, testing Starlink laser-based communications in space, collaborating with various universities and research institutes, raising funds for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, inspiring future generations of explorers, promoting public awareness and engagement with space exploration, and supporting the vision of making humanity multiplanetary . After completing their mission objectives, the crew will return to Earth by reentering the atmosphere and splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida .

Polaris Dawn: A Human and Organizational Perspective

Beyond the sky: Polaris Dawn unites a visionary CEO, SpaceX, and St. Jude’s for an extraordinary mission.

The key actors involved in Polaris Dawn are:

• The astronaut corps: The Polaris Dawn astronaut corps is a group of four private citizens who will fly to orbit on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft in late 2022 or early 2023. The astronaut corps consists of:

  • Jared Isaacman: The commander of the mission and the founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments, a payment processing company. Isaacman is also a spaceflight veteran who commanded the Inspiration4 mission in 2021, the first all-civilian orbital flight. Isaacman is the sponsor of the Polaris Program, which aims to advance human spaceflight and support various causes on Earth.
  • Scott Poteet: The pilot of the mission and a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel and fighter pilot. Poteet has flown more than 3,200 hours in various aircraft, including the F-16 and the T-37. He has also served as a commander of the 64th Aggressor Squadron and a member of the USAF Thunderbirds demonstration team. Poteet is a longtime business associate of Isaacman, working at Draken International and Shift4.
  • Sarah Gillis: A mission specialist and a lead space operations engineer at SpaceX. Gillis has been involved in several SpaceX missions, including Demo-2, Crew-1, Crew-2, and Inspiration4. She has also supported uncrewed Dragon missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and Starlink launches. Gillis has a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a master’s degree in astronautical engineering from the University of Southern California.
  • Anna Menon: A mission specialist and a lead space operations engineer at SpaceX. Menon has also participated in various SpaceX missions, such as Demo-2, Crew-1, Crew-2, and Inspiration4. She has also worked on uncrewed Dragon missions to the ISS and Starlink launches. Menon has a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in astronautical engineering from Stanford University.

• SpaceX: SpaceX is an American aerospace and communications company founded by Elon Musk in 2002. It operates Polaris Dawn on behalf of Shift4 Payments CEO Jared Isaacman. SpaceX serves as the launch service provider, spacecraft manufacturer, mission operator, and technology developer for Polaris Dawn. SpaceX contributes to the project by providing launch services, spacecraft, spacesuits, communications, and expertise.

• Shift4 Payments: Shift4 Payments is an American payment provider company founded by Jared Isaacman in 1999. In Polaris Dawn, Shift4 Payments serves as the mission sponsor, crew commander, and fundraiser. The company covers the mission’s costs and appoints its CEO Jared Isaacman as the crew commander. Its motivations include commercial interests in promoting its brand and products, philanthropic interests in supporting St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and personal aspirations of fulfilling its CEO’s dream of space travel. The success of the project significantly impacts Shift4 Payments’ image, revenue, and social impact. As the primary financial contributor, Shift4 Payments wields substantial influence over the outcome.

• NASA: In Polaris Dawn, NASA serves as the launch site provider, launch license issuer, and safety overseer. The agency provides Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center for Polaris Dawn’s launch, issues a launch license authorizing SpaceX’s operations, and ensures compliance with safety standards and requirements. NASA collaborates with SpaceX on certain research objectives and data, provides guidance and support to the project, and monitors its activities and performance. The success of the project impacts NASA’s reputation and collaboration with SpaceX. NASA exercises moderate influence through its regulatory oversight and monitoring of Polaris Dawn.

• St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital is an American medical center specializing in childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital serves as the beneficiary, crew member, and research partner for Polaris Dawn. The hospital provides physician assistant Anna Menon as a crew member, and benefits from research findings and data on human health and space radiation. The hospital is motivated by social interests in raising public awareness and support, scientific interests in advancing human health, and financial interests in receiving funds from Polaris Dawn.

Sources

Polaris Dawn web site

Polaris Dawn Mission Announced by Jared Isaacman