A lot of people ask me why we spend so much money and resources on space missions when we face pressing issues like poverty, inflation, and conflicts between nations. This article is my response to that question—exploring why we venture into space, the technologies developed for astronauts that benefit life on Earth, and the rapid growth of space medicine that has real-world applications.
On September 10, 2024, the Polaris Dawn mission made history by conducting the first commercial spacewalk (EVA) aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, launched by a Falcon 9 rocket. The mission reached the highest Earth orbit ever, with an apogee of 1,408.1 km, passing through sections of the Van Allen radiation belts. It was the first of three planned missions under the Polaris Program, spearheaded by SpaceX and billionaire Jared Isaacman, founder of Shift4 Payments. Isaacman commanded the crew, accompanied by Mission Pilot Scott “Kidd” Poteet, Medical Officer Anna Menon, and Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis.
Mission overview
In this article, I will discuss the key objectives of the Polaris Dawn mission and how they pave the way for future long-duration space missions while advancing medical research that directly benefits life on Earth.
Development of SpaceX’s New EVA Spacesuits
Here are the key features and innovations that make SpaceX’s EVA spacesuits a game-changer for space exploration:
- Advanced Outer Layer:
- Made from flame-resistant stretch fabric, ensuring both durability and flexibility.
- Semi-rigid rotator joints that remain soft until pressurized, allowing arm rotation and full mobility.
- Enhanced flexure joints at the wrists, elbows, waist, and legs for increased movement.
- Safety and Redundancy:
- Equipped with redundant helmet seals and lockout mechanisms on latches for added safety.
- Internal valves for fault-tolerant pressure control ensure a stable environment at 5.1 psia during spacewalks.
- Thermal Management System:
- New material layer for thermal control, ensuring astronauts stay comfortable and safe at extreme temperatures.
- Easy-access dial on the suit’s umbilical to regulate cooling and oxygen delivery during spacewalks.
- Temperature-Resistant Boots:
- Constructed from thermal material used on Falcon’s inter-stage and Dragon’s trunk, providing insulation from the extreme cold and heat of space without compromising flexibility.
- Innovative Helmet Design:
- Spiral zippers at the waist for easy donning and doffing of the suit.
- Visor externally coated with copper and indium tin oxide (ITO) for protection, with anti-fog treatment on the inside.
- A built-in heads-up display (HUD) in the helmet shows vital information such as internal temperature, humidity, pressure, and mission duration, keeping astronauts informed and safe during critical EVA tasks.
Revolutionizing Space Communication: Testing Laser Technology and Enabling Telemedicine
This mission has made significant strides in advancing space communication technology by testing laser-based communication systems. Unlike traditional spacecraft communications that rely on radio waves—which are effective but have limitations in data bandwidth and speed, especially over vast distances—laser communication provides a high-speed, high-bandwidth alternative essential for future missions requiring rapid data transmission between Earth and deep space destinations like the Moon and Mars.
Here are the key highlights from Polaris Dawn’s groundbreaking efforts in laser communication and telemedicine:
- Innovative Laser-Based Communication:
- Polaris Dawn crew members were the first to test Starlink’s laser-based communications in space, paving the way for enhanced communication systems for future missions.
- This technology demonstration was performed by Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis through a piece titled “Harmony of Resilience,” sending a message of unity and hope back to Earth offering significant advantages in terms of data bandwidth and speed, crucial for sending large amounts of information quickly.
- Telemedicine Integration:
- The mission included testing a device designed to collect vital signs and compare them to data gathered from standard health exams, enhancing crew health monitoring capabilities.
- Utilizing the Starlink communications system, the device connects astronauts with doctors and specialists on Earth, facilitating real-time telemedicine consultations.
- Technologies developed for space missions can improve healthcare delivery in remote areas on Earth where access to hospitals and doctors is limited, helping provide timely medical care to under served populations.
- During emergencies, such as natural disasters or conflict zones, telemedicine systems can enable healthcare professionals to provide critical care from a distance, reducing the need for physical presence in hazardous environments.
Advancing Human Health Through Space: Insights from the Polaris Dawn Mission
One of the primary objectives of missions like Polaris Dawn is to conduct scientific research to advance human health, both in space and on Earth. Space environments present extreme conditions—such as microgravity, radiation exposure, and isolation—that can significantly impact human health. Studying these effects not only provides crucial insights for long-duration space travel but also contributes to innovations in healthcare on Earth.
Polaris Dawn partnered with 31 leading institutions, including the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH), to perform approximately 36 science and research experiments. These experiments hold valuable applications for healthcare here on Earth. Below are some key experiments and their impact on human health:
- Portable Butterfly Ultrasound: This device was used to monitor, detect, and quantify venous gas emboli (VGE) in the crew. The findings contribute to understanding decompression sickness and could improve safety protocols for divers and astronauts alike.
- Airway Assessment Using an Endoscopic Camera: By imaging astronauts’ airways before, during, and after spaceflight, researchers studied the effects of fluid shifts in the body. This could have implications for conditions like sleep apnea and respiratory illnesses on Earth.
- Tempus Pro (Ambulance in a Box): A commercial off-the-shelf device, Tempus Pro can collect and integrate measurements such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, and temperature, along with ultrasound imaging. The crew used it to assess and compare vital signs data collected pre-flight to that collected in orbit, offering insights that could revolutionize remote health monitoring systems here on Earth.
- Ophthalmology and SANS (Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome): Vision changes in astronauts are linked to fluid shifts during spaceflight. This research could lead to breakthroughs in understanding and treating eye diseases and other conditions that affect vision on Earth.
Conclusion
Polaris Dawn’s mission exemplifies how space exploration is not only about venturing into the cosmos but also about advancing science that can improve life on Earth. By studying the human body under extreme space conditions, researchers can unlock solutions to complex medical challenges. Whether it’s through developing better diagnostic tools, enhancing emergency response systems, or improving treatments for vision problems, the research conducted in space has the potential to revolutionize healthcare for all of us.
Q&A
What do you believe are the most pressing challenges or gaps in the global space sector, and how do you think they should be addressed?
Please feel free to provide your reply in the comment section below or email to info@spacedani.com