Polaris Dawn Crew Splashdown Off Florida Coast | SpaceX

Polaris Dawn Crew Splashdown Off Florida Coast | SpaceX

Anna Menon - Mission Specialist & Medical Officer

Sarah Gillis - Mission Specialist & Spacewalker

Scott Poteet - Mission Pilot

Jared Isaacman - Mission Commander & Spacewalker

From left to right: Anna Menon - Mission Specialist & Medical Officer, Scott Poteet - Mission Pilot, Jared Isaacman - Mission Commander, Sarah Gillis - Mission Specialist

Polaris Dawn Crew Dragon spacecraft reentry

Polaris Dawn Crew Dragon spacecraft - main parachutes deployed before splashdown

Polaris Dawn Mission Patch

After nearly five days on orbit, the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and the Polaris Dawn crew safely splashed down at 3:36 a.m. ET on Sunday, September 15, 2024, off the coast of Dry Tortugas, Florida, completing the first human spaceflight mission of the Polaris Program.

Polaris Dawn Crew

Jared Isaacman - Mission Commander & Spacewalker

Scott Poteet - Mission Pilot

Sarah Gillis - Mission Specialist & Spacewalker

Anna Menon - Mission Specialist & Medical Officer

Polaris Dawn has completed the first commercial spacewalks from Crew Dragon. The crew have 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 is flying a specially-modified SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft that flew 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 is conducting 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 has been 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 has also been 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:

https://polarisprogram.com

Image Credits: Polaris Dawn/John Kraus/SpaceX

Capture Date: Sept. 15, 2024

#NASA #SpaceX #Space #Earth #PolarisDawn #CrewDragonSpacecraft #EVA #Spacewalks #Spacesuits #SpaceTechnology #Starlink #Astronauts #JaredIsaacman #ScottPoteet #SarahGillis #AnnaMenon #HumanSpaceflight #CommercialSpace #SpaceExploration #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Polaris Dawn Crew Arrival Off Florida Coast | SpaceX

Polaris Dawn Crew Arrival Off Florida Coast | SpaceX

Sarah Gillis - Mission Specialist & Spacewalker

Anna Menon - Mission Specialist & Medical Officer

Scott Poteet - Mission Pilot

Jared Isaacman - Mission Commander & Spacewalker

Polaris Dawn Crew Dragon spacecraft

After nearly five days on orbit, the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and the Polaris Dawn crew safely splashed down at 3:36 a.m. ET on Sunday, September 15, 2024, off the coast of Dry Tortugas, Florida, completing the first human spaceflight mission of the Polaris Program.

Polaris Dawn Crew

Jared Isaacman - Mission Commander & Spacewalker

Scott Poteet - Mission Pilot

Sarah Gillis - Mission Specialist & Spacewalker

Anna Menon - Mission Specialist & Medical Officer

Polaris Dawn has completed the first commercial spacewalks from Crew Dragon. The crew have 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 is flying a specially-modified SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft that flew 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 is conducting 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 has been 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 has also been 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:

https://polarisprogram.com

Image Credit: Polaris Dawn/SpaceX

Capture Date: Sept. 15, 2024

#NASA #SpaceX #Space #Earth #PolarisDawn #CrewDragonSpacecraft #EVA #Spacewalks #Spacesuits #SpaceTechnology #Starlink #Astronauts #JaredIsaacman #ScottPoteet #SarahGillis #AnnaMenon #HumanSpaceflight #CommercialSpace #SpaceExploration #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Polaris Dawn Mission Prepares for Return to Earth | SpaceX

Polaris Dawn Mission Prepares for Return to Earth | SpaceX

After launching to orbit on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, SpaceX Dragon and the Polaris Dawn astronauts are set to return to Earth and splash down off the coast of Dry Tortugas, Florida on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at 3:36 a.m. ET to end their five-day mission.

Landing updates & live webcast available here:

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=polarisdawn

Polaris Dawn Crew

Jared Isaacman - Mission Commander & Spacewalker

Scott Poteet - Mission Pilot

Sarah Gillis - Mission Specialist & Spacewalker

Anna Menon - Mission Specialist & Medical Officer

Polaris Dawn has completed the first commercial spacewalks from Crew Dragon. The crew have 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 is flying a specially-modified SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft that flew 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 is conducting 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 has been 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 has also been 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:

https://polarisprogram.com

Video Credit: Polaris Dawn/SpaceX

Duration: 1 minute

Release Date: Sept. 12, 2024

#NASA #SpaceX #Space #Earth #PolarisDawn #CrewDragonSpacecraft #EVA #Spacewalks #Spacesuits #SpaceTechnology #Starlink #Astronauts #JaredIsaacman #ScottPoteet #SarahGillis #AnnaMenon #HumanSpaceflight #CommercialSpace #SpaceExploration #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

China Plans Exploration of Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Wider Solar System: Chief Designer

China Plans Exploration of Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Wider Solar System: Chief Designer

China's vision for deep space exploration begins with the Moon and will move to Mars, Jupiter and the wider solar system, according to Wu Weiren, chief designer of China's Lunar Exploration Project (CLEP) and director of China's Deep Space Exploration Laboratory. He introduced the long-term vision for the country's space program in an interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN).

"We define the exploration of the Moon and celestial bodies and space beyond it as deep space exploration. The Moon is the starting point. The next focus is on the Moon. Chang'e-7 will land on the south pole of the Moon and search for water. Chang'e-8 will land at the south pole of the Moon and will join Chang'e-7 to form the basic structure of the south pole station on the Moon," said the chief designer.

Wu said China also plans to build the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS)—a larger scale project and longer-term ambition.

"Then we want to build a navigation, communication, and remote sensing constellation centered on the Moon, which we are now studying," said Wu.

"Our next step is a crewed lunar landing. China aims to achieve this around 2030. You see, the symbol of our lunar exploration project is a person's footprint," said the chief designer.

"Deep space exploration also includes collecting and returning asteroid samples, and collecting samples from large celestial bodies, such as Mars, and the exploration of the Jupiter system. Jupiter is the largest celestial body in the solar system except the Sun, and is equivalent to the size of 1,300 Earths. Jupiter and its satellites are a big system," he said.

Wu said missions in the future will be able to send 50 tons of payload per launch to the Moon.

"To realize this deep space exploration, we need rockets and launch vehicles with greater thrust. So we came up with this concept of deep space exploration. The Deep Space Exploration Laboratory is responsible for the launch vehicle with greater thrust, to study the rocket with greatest thrust in the country. Now we can send eight tons of payload to the Moon. In the future, we'll be able to send 50 tons of payload to the Moon per launch," said Wu.

Learn more about China's International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) plans:

https://www.unoosa.org/documents/pdf/copuos/2023/TPs/ILRS_presentation20230529_.pdf

https://lnkd.in/gpuAF3ge

Video Credit: CGTN

Duration: 2 minutes, 18 seconds

Release Date: Sept. 9, 2024

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Planets #Mars #Tianwen3 #Jupiter #Asteroids #Moon #SouthPole #CLEP #ChangeProgram #IRLS #国际月球科研站 #WuWeiren #ChiefDesigner #SampleReturnMissions #CNSA #China #中国 #Spacecraft #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #DeepSpace #STEM #Education #InternationalCooperation #HD #Video

Expedition 72 Crew Launch on Russian Soyuz Rocket | International Space Station

Expedition 72 Crew Launch on Russian Soyuz Rocket | International Space Station

The Soyuz rocket launches to the International Space Station with Expedition 72 crew members: NASA astronaut Don Pettit, Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner of Russia, onboard, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

NASA astronaut Don Pettit and Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner of Russia successfully launched aboard their Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Sept. 11, 2024. A little over three hours later, the trio docked to the Rassvet module of the International Space Station for the start of a six-month mission on the orbital laboratory as members of the Expedition 71 and 72 crews.

Expedition 71 Updates:

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/

Expedition 71 Crew

Station Commander: Oleg Kononenko (Russia)

Roscosmos (Russia): Nikolai Chub, Alexander Grebenkin, Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner

NASA: Tracy Dyson, Matthew Dominick, Mike Barrett, Jeanette Epps, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, Don Pettit

An international partnership of space agencies provides and operates the elements of the International Space Station (ISS). The principals are the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. The ISS has been the most politically complex space exploration program ever undertaken.

Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Image Date: Sept. 11, 2024

#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #Earth #Baikonur #Kazakhstan #SoyuzRocket #SoyuzMS26 #СоюзМС26 #SoyuzCrewSpacecraft #Astronaut #DonPettit #UnitedStates #Cosmonauts #AlexeiOvchinin #IvanVagner #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #SpaceLaboratory #Expedition72 #HumanSpaceflight #InternationalCooperation #STEM #Education

Expedition 72 Crew in Kazakhstan Prelaunch: Part 3 | International Space Station

Expedition 72 Crew in Kazakhstan Prelaunch: Part 3 | International Space Station

Expedition 72 crew members: NASA astronaut Don Pettit, left, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner of Russia, right, meet with NASA and Roscosmos managers prior to boarding the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft for launch, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Expedition 72 crew members: NASA astronaut Don Pettit, left, Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner of Russia, right, depart building 254 for their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

Expedition 72 crew members: NASA astronaut Don Pettit, left, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner of Russia, right, meet with NASA and Roscosmos managers prior to boarding the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft for launch, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Expedition 72 crew members: Roscosmos cosmonaut Ivan Vagner (Russia), top, NASA astronaut Don Pettit, middle, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin (Russia), board the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft for launch, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin waits to have his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked

Roscosmos cosmonaut Ivan Vagner has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked

Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin of Russia, left, and NASA astronaut Don Pettit, are seen talking with Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky, as they prepare to have their Russian Sokol suits pressure checked

Expedition 72 crew members: NASA astronaut Don Pettit, left, Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, center, and Ivan Vagner, talk to mission management and family ahead of their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

NASA astronaut Don Pettit and Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner of Russia successfully launched aboard their Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Sept. 11, 2024. A little over three hours later, the trio docked to the Rassvet module of the International Space Station for the start of a six-month mission on the orbital laboratory as members of the Expedition 71 and 72 crews.

Expedition 71 Updates:

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/

Expedition 71 Crew

Station Commander: Oleg Kononenko (Russia)

Roscosmos (Russia): Nikolai Chub, Alexander Grebenkin, Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner

NASA: Tracy Dyson, Matthew Dominick, Mike Barrett, Jeanette Epps, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, Don Pettit

An international partnership of space agencies provides and operates the elements of the International Space Station (ISS). The principals are the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. The ISS has been the most politically complex space exploration program ever undertaken.

Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Image Date: Sept. 11, 2024

#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #Earth #Baikonur #Kazakhstan #SoyuzMS26 #СоюзМС26 #SoyuzCrewSpacecraft #Astronaut #DonPettit #UnitedStates #Cosmonauts #AlexeiOvchinin #IvanVagner #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #SpaceLaboratory #Expedition72 #HumanSpaceflight #InternationalCooperation #STEM #Education

Expedition 72 Crew in Kazakhstan Prelaunch: Part 2 | International Space Station

Expedition 72 Crew in Kazakhstan Prelaunch: Part 2 | International Space Station

NASA astronaut Don Pettit waits to have his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked as he and fellow crew mates, Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner of Russia, prepare for their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

Roscosmos cosmonaut Ivan Vagner is helped into his Russian Sokol suit

Roscosmos cosmonaut Ivan Vagner has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked

Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin is helped into his Russian Sokol suit

Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin of Russia, left, and NASA astronaut Don Pettit, are seen as they prepare to have their Russian Sokol suits pressure checked

Expedition 72 crew members: NASA astronaut Don Pettit, left, Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, center, and Ivan Vagner of Russia, talk to NASA and Roscosmos mission management and family ahead of their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

NASA astronaut Don Pettit and Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner of Russia successfully launched aboard their Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Sept. 11, 2024. A little over three hours later, the trio docked to the Rassvet module of the International Space Station for the start of a six-month mission on the orbital laboratory as members of the Expedition 71 and 72 crews.

Expedition 71 Updates:

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/

Expedition 71 Crew

Station Commander: Oleg Kononenko (Russia)

Roscosmos (Russia): Nikolai Chub, Alexander Grebenkin, Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner

NASA: Tracy Dyson, Matthew Dominick, Mike Barrett, Jeanette Epps, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, Don Pettit

An international partnership of space agencies provides and operates the elements of the International Space Station (ISS). The principals are the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. The ISS has been the most politically complex space exploration program ever undertaken.

Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Image Date: Sept. 11, 2024

#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #Earth #Baikonur #Kazakhstan #SoyuzMS26 #СоюзМС26 #SoyuzCrewSpacecraft #Astronaut #DonPettit #UnitedStates #Cosmonauts #AlexeiOvchinin #IvanVagner #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #SpaceLaboratory #Expedition72 #HumanSpaceflight #InternationalCooperation #STEM #Education

Expedition 72 Crew in Kazakhstan Prelaunch: Part 1 | International Space Station

Expedition 72 Crew in Kazakhstan Prelaunch: Part 1 | International Space Station

Expedition 72 crew members: NASA astronaut Don Pettit, left, Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner of Russia, right, wave as they depart the Cosmonaut Hotel to suit-up for their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

Expedition 72 crew members: NASA astronaut Don Pettit, left, Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner of Russia, right, receive the traditional blessing at the Cosmonaut Hotel prior to departing for suit-up and launch on a Soyuz rocket, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

NASA astronaut Don Pettit receives the traditional blessing

Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin of Russia receives the traditional blessing

Roscosmos cosmonaut Ivan Vagner of Russia receives the traditional blessing

NASA astronaut Don Pettit puts his hand up to the bus window and his family reaches back to him, as he and fellow crew mates, Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner of Russia, depart the Cosmonaut Hotel to suit-up for their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. 

NASA astronaut Don Pettit and Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner of Russia successfully launched aboard their Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Sept. 11, 2024. A little over three hours later, the trio docked to the Rassvet module of the International Space Station for the start of a six-month mission on the orbital laboratory as members of the Expedition 71 and 72 crews.

Expedition 71 Updates:

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/

Expedition 71 Crew

Station Commander: Oleg Kononenko (Russia)

Roscosmos (Russia): Nikolai Chub, Alexander Grebenkin, Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner

NASA: Tracy Dyson, Matthew Dominick, Mike Barrett, Jeanette Epps, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, Don Pettit

An international partnership of space agencies provides and operates the elements of the International Space Station (ISS). The principals are the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. The ISS has been the most politically complex space exploration program ever undertaken.

Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Image Date: Sept. 11, 2024

#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #Earth #Baikonur #Kazakhstan #SoyuzMS26 #СоюзМС26 #SoyuzCrewSpacecraft #Astronaut #DonPettit #UnitedStates #Cosmonauts #AlexeiOvchinin #IvanVagner #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #SpaceLaboratory #Expedition72 #HumanSpaceflight #InternationalCooperation #STEM #Education

The Journey of New Shepard Spaceflight NS-26 | Blue Origin

The Journey of New Shepard Spaceflight NS-26 | Blue Origin

  

Blue Origin successfully completed its eighth human spaceflight and the 26th flight for the New Shepard program on August 29, 2024. The astronaut crew included: Nicolina Elrick, Rob Ferl, Eugene Grin, Dr. Eiman Jahangir, Karsen Kitchen, and Ephraim Rabin. The New Shepard launch vehicle has now flown 43 people into space.

Karsen Kitchen made history as the youngest woman ever to cross the Kármán line. Rob Ferl became the first NASA-funded researcher to conduct an experiment as part of a commercial suborbital space crew. 

Rob Ferl was the first NASA-funded researcher to conduct an experiment as part of a commercial suborbital space crew. The experiment is designed to help scientists understand how plant genes react to the transition to and from microgravity. Ferl activated a device called a Kennedy Space Center Fixation Tube, or KFT, to “fix” or take a snapshot of the gene activity of an Arabidopsis thaliana plant inside the tube for researchers to study in the lab.   

This mission was the eighth human flight for the New Shepard program and the 26th in its history. To date, the program has flown 37 humans above the Kármán line, the "internationally recognized boundary of space."

Rob Ferl Biography:

Rob is a distinguished professor and director of the Astraeus Space Institute at the University of Florida. He has spent his career studying how living organisms respond to extreme conditions, especially microgravity. He and his colleagues have worked with NASA astronauts to conduct numerous experiments on the International Space Station that have shown that plants turn certain genes on and off in response to changes in gravity. They were also the first to prove that plants could grow in lunar soil collected during the Apollo missions. Ferl is also a national leader in space policy, having recently chaired a National Academies of Sciences committee on the direction of space biology research over the next decade. 

Rob received funding for his technology flight test through a NASA TechFlights grant by the agency’s Flight Opportunities program as well as from NASA’s Division of Biological and Physical Sciences. 

Karsen Kitchen Biography:

Karsen made history as the youngest woman ever to cross the Kármán line. A senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Karsen is majoring in Communications and Astronomy. After graduation, she intends to pursue a career in the space industry. In 2024, she founded Orbitelle, an initiative to encourage women to pursue careers in the space industry. Karsen has researched radio astronomy at the Green Bank Observatory in West Virginia and worked at UNC's Morehead Planetarium. She’s also immersed herself in centrifugal force training, experienced weightlessness during a Zero-Gravity flight, and currently in training for her scuba diving license. 

Learn more about the NS-26 crew at: 

https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-shepard-ns-26-mission

Video Credit: Blue Origin
Duration: 1 minute, 38 seconds

Release Date: Sept. 13, 2024

#NASA #Earth #Space #BlueOrigin #NewShepardRocket #LaunchVehicle #CrewCapsule #NS26 #Astronauts #KarsenKitchen #RobFerl #JeffBezos #SpaceTechnology #Engineering #Texas #UnitedStates #HumanSpaceflight #SpaceTourism #NewSpace #CommercialSpace #History #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Polaris Dawn Mission: Sarah Gillis—Harmony of Resilience

Polaris Dawn Mission: Violinist Sarah Gillis—Harmony of Resilience

Polaris Dawn Crewmember Sarah Gillis plays violin from Earth orbit aboard a specially-modified SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft

Polaris Dawn crew meets American composer and conductor John Williams

Composer and conductor John Williams with Polaris Dawn crewmember and violinist Sarah Gillis

Sarah Gillis with dozens of other musicians performing “Rey’s Theme” from the film Star Wars: The Force Awakens originally composed and conducted by John Williams

Recorded in space and sent to Earth via SpaceX’s Starlink constellation, Polaris Dawn crewmember and violinist Sarah Gillis provided the Polaris Dawn crew and humanity with a musical moment from Earth orbit in support of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital & El Sistema USA. She collaborated with famed American composer and conductor John Williams.

Watch the performance here:

https://x.com/i/status/1834557770374296010

Sarah Gillis was among dozens of other musicians worldwide that performed “Rey’s Theme” by John Williams from Star Wars: The Force Awakens for a performance that she said “symbolizes unity and hope, highlighting the resilience and potential of children everywhere.”

“As we travel around our beautiful Earth on this five-day mission, we wanted to share this special music moment with you,” Gillis said in a clip shared on SpaceX’s page on X (formerly Twitter):

https://x.com/i/status/1834557770374296010

Learn more at: http://polarisprogram.com/music

Polaris Dawn Crew

Jared Isaacman - Mission Commander

Scott Poteet - Mission Pilot

Sarah Gillis - Mission Specialist

Anna Menon - Mission Specialist & Medical Officer

Polaris Dawn has completed the first commercial spacewalks from Crew Dragon. It has tested Starlink-laser based communications and is conducting a wide range of research in microgravity. Polaris Dawn will return to Earth and splash down off the coast of Florida to end its five day mission.

The Polaris Dawn Mission is flying a specially-modified SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft 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 is conducting 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."

Learn more about the Polaris Program:

https://polarisprogram.com

Image Credit: SpaceX/Polaris Program

Image Dates: Sept. 13, 2024

#NASA #SpaceX #Space #Earth #PolarisDawn #CrewDragonSpacecraft #Spacewalkers #SpaceTechnology #Starlink #Astronauts #JaredIsaacman #ScottPoteet #SarahGillis #Violinist #Music #JohnWilliams #HarmonyOfResilience #StarWars #FilmSoundtrack #ScienceFiction #AnnaMenon #HumanSpaceflight #CommercialSpace #UnitedStates #STEM #Education