TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
CONTEXT: Recently, SpaceX launched its Polaris Dawn mission, sending a four-member civilian crew on the first-ever commercial spaceflight into Earth’s Van Allen radiation belt.
EXPLANATION:
About the Polaris Dawn Mission?
Polaris Dawn is set to be the first non-governmental mission to conduct a spacewalk, reaching an unprecedented altitude of approximately 700 kilometres (435 miles) above Earth.
- This altitude surpasses that of the International Space Station (ISS), which orbits at about 400 kilometres. It is a privately funded space mission led by billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, in collaboration with SpaceX.
- Spacecraft: SpaceX will provide theFalcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule for the mission. The spacecraft will attempt to break the altitude record set by NASA’s Gemini 11 mission in 1966, which reached 1,373 kilometres.
- Crew and leadership: The mission is spearheaded by billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, who previously financed and flew on SpaceX’s Inspiration4 mission, the first civilian mission to orbit Earth.
- The mission will test new spacesuits designed by SpaceX to protect astronauts from high radiation levels encountered in the Van Allen Belts.
What are the Van Allen Belts:
- The Van Allen Belts are two zones of charged particles that surround Earth, held in the magnetosphere.
- These belts were first identified in 1958 by the American physicist James Van Allen.
Why are the Van Allen Belts dangerous for Humans:
- The Van Allen Belts are dangerous for humans because they contain high levels of radiation that can pose significant health risks to astronauts.
- The belts are filled with charged particles that can cause radiation sickness, damage human tissues, and increase the risk of cancer.
Planned health research:
- Biological effects of space travel: Polaris Dawn aims to create research biobanks to study how space travel impacts human biology, including eyesight and brain structure.
- These studies address Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS), a significant health risk in space.
- Decompression sickness: The mission will also contribute to research on decompression sickness (DCS), a condition caused by nitrogen gas bubbles damaging human tissue during spaceflight.
Innovation in space communications:
- Laser communications test: The crew will test laser communications provided by SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network.
- This technology is vital for future space missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The data from these tests will inform the development of advanced space communication systems.
Polaris Missions ahead:
- Mission progression: Isaacman has committed to three Polaris missions in collaboration with SpaceX. The first mission is planned to last five days, with future missions set to push the boundaries of human spaceflight, communications, and scientific research.
Starship test: The third Polaris mission will involve the first crewed test of SpaceX’s reusable Starship spacecraft.
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