Polaris Dawn Crew Talks Mission Highlights, Next Steps

Crew during the five-day mission pulled off several feats—including the first civilian spacewalk—that could open new opportunities for human spaceflight.

Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 03:05 PM ET

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Polaris Dawn crewmembers (from left) Anna Menon, Sarah Gillis, and Jared Isaacman speak on a panel during the 2024 UP.Summit in Bentonville, Arkansas. [Courtesy: UP.Summit/ file photo]

Key Takeaways:

Polaris Dawn, a private orbital spaceflight commanded by Jared Isaacman, achieved the first civilian spacewalk, reached the highest Earth orbit since the Apollo era, and conducted nearly 40 scientific research experiments.
The mission validated advanced SpaceX technologies, including new EVA suits and Starlink communications, crucial for developing commercial capabilities needed for future large-scale human presence in space, on the Moon, and Mars.
Part of Isaacman's Polaris Program, the mission also incorporated significant humanitarian efforts, partnering with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to raise awareness and funds for global cancer research and expand access to music education.

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BENTONVILLE, Arkansas—The first civilian spacewalk, an on-orbit symphony performance, and nearly 40 scientific research experiments. Those were just a few highlights of September’s Polaris Dawn mission: a five-day, four-person orbital spaceflight purchased from SpaceX and commanded by Jared Isaacman, the billionaire CEO of Shift4 Payments.

But Isaacman—now a SpaceX “frequent flier” after also taking part in 2021’s Inspiration4 mission, the first all-civilian spaceflight—is just getting started.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.