Hey everybody, welcome back to the Elon Musk Podcast.
This is a show where we discuss the critical crossroads that
shape SpaceX, Tesla X, The Boring Company, and Neuralink,
and I'm your host, Will Walden. If you want uninterrupted
episodes of the Elon Musk podcast, please go to
clubelon.supercast.com to find out how there's a link in the
show notes. So the Polaris Dawn mission,
which is poised to conduct the first ever private spacewalk,
has seen its launch timeline push back a little bit to the
summer of 2024. This delay, which announced by
the mission's organizers, extends the preparation period
to ensure that the mission's goals are met with safety.
Now Polaris Dawn, which is an integral part of the whole
Polaris program. They have 3 launches coming up,
and it's all spearheaded by billionaire Jared Isaacman.
And he aims to push the boundaries of private space
exploration through a series of pioneering initiatives,
including testing Spacex's Starlink Internet service in
space and conducting various scientific experiments.
And this mission will utilize Spacex's tried and tested
hardware, launching 4 individuals into Earth's orbit
aboard the Crew Dragon capsule, propelled by a Falcon 9 rocket.
The crew comprises Polaris program founder Jared Isaacman,
retired US Air Force Colonel Scott Petit, SpaceX employee
Sarah Gillis and Anna Menin. The roles are clearly defined
with Isaac Mann at the helm as the Commander, Petite as the
pilot, and Gillis and men and serving as payload specialist
and medical officer respectively.
Now, during his journey, the Polaris Dawn mission is set to
last up to five days in orbit, operating independently without
docking at the International Space Station.
This approach mirrors the methodology of the inspiration
for mission, also led by Isaac Mann in September of 2021.
Now, moreover, the mission continues to philanthropic
spirit of the predecessors by raising funds for Saint Jude's
Children Research Hospital in Memphis.
And this mission marks just the beginning of the broader Polaris
program, which has its sights set on escalating the
capabilities of private spaceflight.
Now Isaac Mann has expressed intentions to utilize Spacex's
next generation Starship rocket for future Polaris missions,
mainly Polaris 3. Now the launch is scheduled to
take place from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 A, a
site steeped in space history, and the Crew Dragon, along with
the Polaris Dawn crew aims to reach unprecedented heights,
venturing into the highest Earth orbit any Dragon mission has
ever attempted, and even pushing the boundaries to achieve the
highest orbit ever flown by a crude spacecraft.
Now, one of the mission's hallmark objectives using SpaceX
design space suits this significant endeavor is not just
about the milestone, but also about testing and refining the
spacesuit technology for future long duration missions,
including potential lunar bases and also Martian cities.
And the scientific agenda of Playrist ON is comprehensive,
focusing on understanding the impact of spaceflight and
radiation on human health. From monitoring Venice Gas
Emboli using ultrasound to studying the radiation
environment and its effects on biological systems, these
investigations will contribute valuable insights into the
challenges of long duration spaceflight.
Now the Missions Research collaboration spanned multiple
esteemed institutions including the Translational Research
Institute for Space Health, Bioserve Space Technologies at
the University of Colorado Boulder, and many others.
And with this collaboration they're trying to advance space
health research and leverage the unique environment of space to
gain insights that benefit humanity both on and off planet.
Now the novel aspect of Playerstone is its plan to test
Starlink's laser based communications in space.
This test is crucial for developing robust space
communication systems, essential for future missions to our
closest neighbor, the Moon to Mars and also beyond.
Highlighting the mission's role in addressing the practical
challenges of deep space exploration at the core of the
Polaris Dawn mission is Jared Isekman, a figure synonymous
with private space exploration. Isaacman's extensive experience
as a pilot and astronaut, combined with his philanthropic
endeavors and record setting flights, positions him as a
leading figure in the space community.
His leadership in the inspiration for mission and his
commitment to advancing human spaceflight capabilities through
the Polaris program reflect his dedication to both exploration
and also humanitarian causes. Now, the Polaris program, named
after our North Star, symbolizes guidance and exploration and
encapsulates a vision to leverage human spaceflight
missions to foster technological advancements, conduct meaningful
research, and support noble causes on Earth.
The program's trajectory includes not just Polaris Dawn,
but two additional missions, each building on the successes
and learnings of the previous ones.
Now, the culmination of this series is anticipated to be a
manned flight aboard Spacex's Starship, setting the stage for
the next era of space exploration and the delay to the
Polaris Dawn mission. First one, while a set back
provides additional time for thorough preparations and
testing, ensuring that the mission's ambitious objectives
can be safely and effectively achieved for everybody on board.
Now, of course they have to be safe.
When we have 4 astronauts on board, a Falcon Nine, and a Crew
Dragon capsule, it's Parano. The readiness is meticulous, and
the integration of Spacex's hardware and technology in a
Polaris Dawn mission shows that SpaceX is ready and willing to
take private space to the next level.
Now the upcoming test flight of Spacex's Starship mentioned in
the context of Polaris programs future mission shows that SpaceX
is also working hard to get Starship ready for the Polaris
program. The forward-looking nature of
these initiatives aim to expand the horizons of human
spaceflight. Now Polaris is about
exploration. It's about scientific research,
it's about philanthropy, and it's about the ever revolving
nature of space missions and private astronauts in the modern
era. And by combining the spirit of
adventure that we all have with the commitment to contributing
to human knowledge and welfare, missions like Polaris Dawn are
redefining a new paradigm in space exploration.
Now, Polaris Dawn mission is a huge step.
If this happens, it'll show that normal people like you and me
can become astronauts. We can go to orbit, We could
possibly even do a space walk. With some training, we can do
some scientific research. And also we can help out people
back here on Earth with philanthropy.
It's delayed right now. The player stawn mission is
delayed right now. But the mission's comprehensive
objectives and collaboration with leading institutions show
that there's a potential to contribute significantly to our
understanding of space and its impact on human health.
Will also testing critical technology for future
exploration efforts. Hey, thank you so much for
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