SpaceX launched four people into the Van Allen radiation belts: Polaris Dawn
10 september 2024 в 20:13
As part of a bold venture, a private manufacturer of space technology and a space transportation company launched a four-member crew on Tuesday at 5:23 a.m. Eastern Time into Earth’s Van Allen radiation belts from Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The launch was broadcast live on X — a social platform previously known as Twitter, which was acquired by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk in 2022 — a California-based space company.
Here’s what you need to know about the mission known as Polar Dawn.
The four-member crew includes billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, founder and CEO of payment processing company Shift4, who is funding the Polar Dawn mission in partnership with SpaceX; retired Air Force lieutenant colonel Scott «Kid» Poteet; and SpaceX engineers Sian Gillis and Anna Menon.
The crew members were sent into orbit in the Crew Dragon capsule on top of the Falcon 9 rocket.
«When you look at the North Star, remember that your courage lights the way for future explorers. We trust your skills, your courage, and your teamwork to carry out the mission ahead», - said SpaceX launch director Frank Messina to the crew members from mission control on Earth.
«Know that the whole team is here with you every step of the way, watching, supporting, and cheering for you as you journey into space. We send you hugs from Earth».
Shortly before the capsule reached orbit, Isaacman — who previously funded and participated in the first all-civilian SpaceX mission to orbit in 2021 — thanked everyone who supported the mission and came to watch the launch.
«We appreciate it. We are getting to work now», - he radioed mission controllers on the ground.
The five-day mission involves the first spacewalk conducted entirely by a civilian crew and is intended for them to achieve the highest orbital altitude reached by a human since the last Apollo moon mission in 1972: 870 miles above Earth’s surface.
While in space, the crew will test new spacesuits and technologies that could pave the way for future long-duration missions to the Moon and, ultimately, Mars.
In a post-launch statement on X, the Polar Dawn crew described their ambitious goals.
«Our shared interest in space should not be too great to fail or too expensive to succeed. It should be a constant effort to unravel the mysteries of the Universe and, in the process, improve life here on Earth. As we embark on our journey today, know that we wish all of you luck as we explore together.
The spacewalk is scheduled for Thursday at 2:23 a.m. Eastern Time and will be broadcast live by SpaceX. There is a backup spacewalk on Friday if needed
The launch was broadcast live on X — a social platform previously known as Twitter, which was acquired by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk in 2022 — a California-based space company.
Here’s what you need to know about the mission known as Polar Dawn.
The four-member crew includes billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, founder and CEO of payment processing company Shift4, who is funding the Polar Dawn mission in partnership with SpaceX; retired Air Force lieutenant colonel Scott «Kid» Poteet; and SpaceX engineers Sian Gillis and Anna Menon.
The crew members were sent into orbit in the Crew Dragon capsule on top of the Falcon 9 rocket.
«When you look at the North Star, remember that your courage lights the way for future explorers. We trust your skills, your courage, and your teamwork to carry out the mission ahead», - said SpaceX launch director Frank Messina to the crew members from mission control on Earth.
«Know that the whole team is here with you every step of the way, watching, supporting, and cheering for you as you journey into space. We send you hugs from Earth».
Shortly before the capsule reached orbit, Isaacman — who previously funded and participated in the first all-civilian SpaceX mission to orbit in 2021 — thanked everyone who supported the mission and came to watch the launch.
«We appreciate it. We are getting to work now», - he radioed mission controllers on the ground.
The five-day mission involves the first spacewalk conducted entirely by a civilian crew and is intended for them to achieve the highest orbital altitude reached by a human since the last Apollo moon mission in 1972: 870 miles above Earth’s surface.
While in space, the crew will test new spacesuits and technologies that could pave the way for future long-duration missions to the Moon and, ultimately, Mars.
In a post-launch statement on X, the Polar Dawn crew described their ambitious goals.
«Our shared interest in space should not be too great to fail or too expensive to succeed. It should be a constant effort to unravel the mysteries of the Universe and, in the process, improve life here on Earth. As we embark on our journey today, know that we wish all of you luck as we explore together.
The spacewalk is scheduled for Thursday at 2:23 a.m. Eastern Time and will be broadcast live by SpaceX. There is a backup spacewalk on Friday if needed
© Puhova Marina
