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Author
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Topic: [Discuss] Polaris Dawn SpaceX mission
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 52705
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-14-2022 07:33 AM
   
Please use this topic to discuss the Polaris Dawn mission, the first in a series of private SpaceX missions. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 5367
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-14-2022 11:52 AM
Does SpaceX have an airlock developed for Dragon or are they going to purge the cabin for EVA? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 52705
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-14-2022 11:59 AM
There is no airlock. The cabin will be depressurized, Gemini-style. As of now, it is planned that only two crew members will venture outside Dragon, but all four astronauts will be wearing SpaceX's new (still in development) EVA spacesuits. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 52705
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-19-2022 04:04 PM
From the Polaris Program (via Twitter): Our crew completed their first week of EVA training, practicing maneuvers necessary to move in and out of Dragon during a spacewalk. They also reviewed development of EVA technology and lessons learned from the last 50 years.  
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SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 5367
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-19-2022 04:31 PM
Nice touch on the high tech capsule/tunnel mating clamps. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 52705
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-09-2024 08:11 AM
Update from Polaris Dawn (via X): We are now targeting no earlier than summer 2024 for launch of Polaris Dawn, the first of the Polaris Program's three human spaceflights.The crew is actively training at Hawthorne to prepare for this mission's goals, from the first commercial spacewalk to testing Starlink internet aboard Dragon to readying all of the science and research ahead of launch. The additional time continues to provide necessary developmental time to ensure both the completion of these mission goals and a safe launch and return of Dragon and the crew. The crew is also devoting time to outreach and continued fundraising and awareness for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 52705
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-04-2024 10:11 AM
SpaceX photos of the Polaris Dawn crew wearing the company's Extravehicular Activity (EVA) suit: 
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 52705
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-03-2024 07:12 PM
From Polaris Dawn: We are targeting no earlier than July 31 for the launch of Polaris Dawn. |
damnyankee36
Member Posts: 67
From: Alamogordo, NM USA
Registered: Aug 2017
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posted 07-08-2024 12:43 PM
It seems like I read that maybe two? crew members will be participating in the EVA. Is this still the case? Have they been selected yet?It would be cool if they could all participate, maybe by rotating positions? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 52705
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-08-2024 03:24 PM
Yes, they have said two crew members will perform the EVA, though all four will be subject to the vacuum of space after the Dragon's cabin is depressurized. The total time at vacuum will be about two hours; the EVAs themselves are expected to last about 20 minutes. One at a time, the two spacewalkers will use a ladder-like device called the "skywalker" to latch their feet at the hatch opening, so the spacewalks (if I understand correctly) will be more like the stand-up EVA performed by Dave Scott on Apollo 15 rather than the free-floating EVA performed by Ed White on Gemini IV. Polaris Dawn has not yet announced who will be the two spacewalkers. |
Delta7
Member Posts: 1756
From: Bluffton IN USA
Registered: Oct 2007
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posted 07-09-2024 07:27 AM
I thought I read somewhere that Isaacman and Gillis would be the EVA crew members. |
Ben
Member Posts: 1931
From: United States
Registered: May 2000
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posted 07-09-2024 09:05 AM
Yes, the two were announced a while ago, Isaacman and Gillis. |
J Blackburn
Member Posts: 313
From: Riner
Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 07-09-2024 11:04 AM
What is the purpose of this spacewalk? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 52705
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-09-2024 02:16 PM
I must have missed the announcement. I see now that it was reported (by Ars Technica, for example), but from what I can quickly tell, the Polaris Dawn website makes no mention of the spacewalkers being selected.As for the purpose of the spacewalk, to quote the website, "the execution of the EVA will be important steps toward a scalable design for spacesuits on future long-duration missions." |
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