SpaceX Unveils Advanced EVA Suit for Historic Polaris Dawn Mission
In a groundbreaking announcement, SpaceX, in collaboration with the Polaris Program led by Jared Isaacman, has revealed the development of an advanced Extravehicular Activity (EVA) suit for the upcoming Polaris Dawn mission scheduled to launch in summer 2024. This mission marks the first time that a commercial spacewalk will be conducted directly from a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
The new EVA suit, a significant evolution of the current Intravehicular Activity (IVA) suits used on crewed Dragon missions, is specially designed to offer increased mobility, comfort, and safety to astronauts. Incorporating innovative materials and a modular design, the suit allows for better flexibility in pressurized environments, essential for spacewalks and long-duration missions.
Key features of the EVA suit include a 3D-printed helmet with a visor that minimizes glare and integrates a Heads-Up Display (HUD) and a camera to monitor vital data such as pressure, temperature, and relative humidity inside the suit. The suit also includes additional seals and pressure valves to ensure proper pressurization, enhancing the safety of the crew during spacewalks.
The Polaris Program, inspired by the North Star and aimed at advancing manned space flights and supporting important causes on Earth, will see the Polaris Dawn mission launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission will test the limits of Dragon spacecraft capabilities, aiming to reach the highest Earth orbit ever recorded.
In addition to conducting a commercial spacewalk and testing new communication technologies in space, the Polaris Dawn mission will focus on advancing scientific research related to human health in space. Collaborating with institutions like the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) and BioServe Space Technologies, the crew will conduct crucial studies to improve our understanding of space radiation, venous air embolisms, and other health-related issues.
With a crew comprising experienced individuals like Mission Commander Jared Isaacman, Mission Pilot Scott Poteet, Mission Specialist Sara Gillis, and Mission Specialist/Medical Officer Anna Menón, the Polaris Dawn mission is set to push the boundaries of human space exploration and pave the way for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Stay tuned as SpaceX and the Polaris Program redefine the possibilities of space exploration.