Polaris Dawn: SpaceX To Attempt First Private Spacewalk

SpaceX is set to undertake a groundbreaking mission titled 'Polaris Dawn,' featuring the first private spacewalk. The mission will test new technologies like slim spacesuits and a cabin with no airlock. The trip aims to advance tech for future moon and Mars missions, while exploring high-radiation environments.

In a bold move to push the boundaries of private space exploration, SpaceX will attempt its first-ever private spacewalk as part of the ambitious 'Polaris Dawn' mission. Scheduled for next week, the mission will integrate cutting-edge technologies including slimline spacesuits and a modified Crew Dragon cabin with no airlock.

The venture, funded by billionaire Jared Isaacman, will see a team, including a billionaire entrepreneur, a retired military fighter pilot, and two SpaceX employees, embarking on a 20-minute spacewalk at an altitude of 434 miles — the highest any human has ventured since the Apollo moon missions. The mission's elliptical orbit will bring the crew as close to Earth as 118 miles and as far as 870 miles.

In addition to breaking new ground in space travel, the mission aims to test the Crew Dragon's electronics and shielding as it passes through the Van Allen belt, an area rich with charged particles. Safety measures are paramount, with procedures in place to address various contingencies. The Polaris Dawn mission stands to significantly advance technology for lunar and Martian expeditions, while providing unprecedented scientific data.

(With inputs from agencies.)