Polaris dawn

Category

Details

Mission Name

Polaris Dawn

Launch Vehicle

SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket

Launch Location

Florida

Duration

Up to five days in orbit

Primary Objectives

1. Achieve the highest Earth orbit ever flown.

2. Attempt the first commercial extravehicular activity (EVA) with SpaceX-designed EVA spacesuits.

3. Test Starlink laser-based communications in space.

4. Conduct health impact research.

High Altitude Objective

Fly higher than any Dragon mission to date, aiming to reach the highest Earth orbit ever flown.

Conduct research on the effects of spaceflight and space radiation on human health.

First Commercial Spacewalk

Attempt the first-ever commercial EVA at approximately 700 kilometers above the Earth with upgraded SpaceX EVA spacesuits.

This development is aimed at creating a scalable spacesuit design for future long-duration missions.

In-Space Communications

Test Starlink laser-based communications in space to gather data for future space communication systems necessary for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Health Impact Research

Conduct various scientific research activities including:

Using ultrasound to monitor, detect, and quantify venous gas emboli (VGE).

Gathering data on the radiation environment.

Providing biological samples for multi-omics analyses.

Research related to Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS).

Research Collaborators

Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH), BioServe Space Technologies (University of Colorado Boulder), Space Technologies Lab (Embry Riddle Aeronautical University), Weill Cornell Medicine, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, U.S. Air Force Academy.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Which among the following is not an objective under the Polaris Dawn Mission?

A. To achieve the highest Earth orbit ever flown and conduct research on space radiation effects on human health.

B. To perform the first commercial extravehicular activity (EVA) with SpaceX-designed EVA spacesuits.

C. To test Starlink laser-based communications for future space missions.

D. To gather data on spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) and conduct multi-omics analyses using biological samples.

Answer: B