EXPLAINED: Why SpaceX's Polaris Dawn Spacewalk Comes With Unprecedented Risks

New Delhi: SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission is set to create a history on Thursday, September 12, as the crew will be performing first-ever private spacewalk. Spearheaded by billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, Polaris Dawn is more than just a spaceflight as it will bring civilians at the centre of space exploration mission.

The SpaceX's historic mission stands out not only for its ambitious goal of flying higher in Earth’s orbit than anyone since the Apollo program, but also for featuring the first-ever spacewalk by private citizens.

The space exploration mission features a crew of four including the mission’s commander Jared Isaacman, Scott Poteet (a 20-year Air Force veteran pilot) and SpaceX employees Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis.

The crew is all set to attempt this groundbreaking feat on the third day of mission, approximately 700 km above Earth's surface, higher than the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS).

The spacewalk will involve Isaacman and Gillis stepping out of the Crew Dragon capsule. 

Risks Associated With Spacewalk

The scheduled spacewalk is different from the traditional spacewalks conducted from the International Space Station earlier, posing some unique challenges ahead of Polaris Dawn crew.

The Crew Dragon capsule doesn't have an airlock which means the entire cabin will be depressurised for the unprecedented spacewalk. All four crew members will sport EVA suits, with pilot Scott Poteet and mission specialist Menon staying inside the capsule to manage operations.

The risks associated with this private spacewalk are significant as with the lack an airlock, the crew must meticulously manage the depressurisation and repressurisation of the capsule. If any issue crops up during this process then it could potentially compromise the spacecraft's integrity or the crew's safety.

Exposure to Radiation

Exposure to radiation at their orbital altitude is another major risk for the crew. The capsule will be crossing through the lower Van Allen radiation belt, leading the group members to be exposed to higher levels of radiation than typically encountered in low Earth orbit. The long-term effects of this exposure remains uncertain though their specially designed outfits offer some protection.

The EVA suits present both opportunities and challenges as they're designed to protect against the vacuum of space and extreme temperatures but any malfunction could result in life-threatening events.

However, the space crew has undergone rigorous training to face potential emergencies, the nature of the mission adds a layer of unpredictability.

Despite these risks, the Polaris Dawn mission represents a significant step forward in commercial spaceflight. If successful, it will pave the way for future private space exploration endeavors and contribute valuable data for the development of next-generation spacesuits and EVA procedures.

New Era in Space Exploration

Marking the beginning of a new era in space exploration, the mission aims to reach a peak altitude of 870 miles (1,400 kilometres) — the highest achieved by a crewed mission in over 50 years since NASA’s Apollo programme. The mission also aims to conduct research to help provide insight on human health during long-duration spaceflight missions.

After several delays, the SpaceX finally launch its much-awaited Polaris Dawn mission on Friday, September 6, 2024. The space mission lifted off from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A during a four-hour window beginning at 3:33 a.m. EDT.

This latest space mission represents a major leap forward in private space exploration.