SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn returns to Earth after historic mission 

On September 10, 2024, the Polaris Dawn mission launched, embarking on a groundbreaking five-day journey in space that set several records and paved the way for future commercial space exploration.

The Crew Dragon spacecraft completed its mission with a successful splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico near Florida’s Dry Tortugas, in the predawn darkness. The crew included tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, two SpaceX engineers, and a former Air Force Thunderbird pilot. 

Historic commercial spacewalk 

In a historic moment, mission commander Jared Isaacman and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis conducted the first-ever commercial spacewalk on September 12. Each spent approximately 12 minutes outside the Crew Dragon capsule, testing SpaceX’s newly developed extravehicular activity (EVA) suits. This milestone demonstrates the potential for private companies to perform complex space operations, previously limited to government agencies. 

The Polaris Dawn crew achieved an orbital altitude of 1,400 kilometers above Earth, surpassing the previous record set by NASA’s Gemini 11 mission in 1966. This accomplishment made Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon the first women to travel so far from Earth and marked the highest Earth orbit reached by humans since the Apollo missions. 

Throughout their mission, the four-person crew conducted approximately 40 scientific experiments. These studies focused on understanding the effects of microgravity and space radiation on the human body, contributing valuable insights into the impact of long-term space travel on astronaut health. The mission also tested new technologies, including laser-based communications between the Crew Dragon capsule and SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation. 

The Polaris Dawn mission, with its successful splashdown, historic spacewalk, record-breaking altitude, and significant scientific contributions, represents a monumental step forward in commercial space exploration. It highlights the growing capability of private companies to undertake complex space missions, opening new possibilities for the future of human spaceflight.