Polaris Dawn Crew Revisit Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center
From left to right: Jared Isaacman - Mission Commander & Spacewalker, Scott Poteet - Mission Pilot, Sarah Gillis - Mission Specialist & Spacewalker, Anna Menon - Mission Specialist & Medical Officer
On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, the Polaris Dawn crew returned to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island, Florida. This pad, along with Launch Complex 39B, was first constructed in the 1960s to accommodate the Saturn V launch vehicle, and has been used to support NASA crewed space flight missions, including the historic Apollo 11 moon landing and the Space Shuttle. The site is currently leased by SpaceX and supports launches of the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets.
After nearly five days on orbit, the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and the Polaris Dawn crew safely splashed down on Sunday, September 15, 2024, off the coast of Dry Tortugas, Florida, completing the first human spaceflight mission of the Polaris Program.
Jared Isaacman - Mission Commander & Spacewalker
Scott Poteet - Mission Pilot
Sarah Gillis - Mission Specialist & Spacewalker
Anna Menon - Mission Specialist & Medical Officer
Polaris Dawn completed the first commercial spacewalks from Crew Dragon. The crew tested Starlink-laser based communications and conducted a wide range of research in microgravity involving ~36 studies and experiments from 31 partner institutions related to human health.
The Polaris Dawn Mission flew a specially-modified SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft that went higher than any mission to date since the Apollo program, reaching the highest Earth orbit ever flown at approximately 700 kilometers above the Earth. Orbiting through portions of the Van Allen radiation belt, Polaris Dawn conducted research with the aim of better understanding the effects of spaceflight and space radiation on human health, while testing laser-based communications.
"Completing the first commercial extravehicular activity in low-Earth orbit is an important first step towards a future where millions of humans are visiting, working, and living on the Moon, Mars, and other destinations in our solar system."
This was the first human spaceflight for Mission Pilot Kidd Poteet, Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, and Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Anna Menon. Mission Commander Jared Isaacman previously flew to space as commander of Inspiration4. This was the first time two SpaceX employees have been part of a human spaceflight crew, providing valuable insight to future missions on the road to making life multiplanetary.
Learn more about the Polaris Program:
Image Credit: Polaris Program/John Kraus
Capture Date: Sept. 17, 2024
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