SpaceX F9/Crew Dragon : Polaris Dawn : KSC LC-39A : NET Late August 2024

[cohberg]

Some annotations on the new images posted by Polaris and Jared

Hatch modifications with additional mobility aids, handling loops for gloved operations and a different handle design

Additional padding / insulation near the forward bulkhead area

Additional padding in the main cabin area

Possible lockers for temperature and pressure sensitive items below MS1 and MS2's seats

The center pallet enclosure containing tanks of extra ECLSS consumables

_{Images embedded as SMF chokes on generating legible previews of PNG attachments.
Zip archive attached in case the host goes away}

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/todayshow/status/1787449990555607109

EXCLUSIVE: The members of the Polaris Dawn crew are live in studio ahead of their private five-day private mission on SpaceX’s Dragon and first ever all-civilian spacewalk this summer.

Edit to add:

[DigitalMan]

The today show hosts did reveal Jared and Sarah will be outside Dragon during the spacewalk

[jpo234]

During the EVA suit press event there was some talk about the mobility aid at the hatch. There is a render on the Polaris site that gives an idea how it looks.

[DanClemmensen]

During the EVA suite press event there was some talk about the mobility aid at the hatch. There is a render on the Polaris site that gives an idea how it looks.

It looks like grandma's walker. A skywalker!

[jpo234]

It looks like grandma's walker. A skywalker!

My first thought was "pool ladder".

[catdlr]

During the EVA suite press event there was some talk about the mobility aid at the hatch. There is a render on the Polaris site that gives an idea how it looks.

It looks like grandma's walker. A skywalker!

[catdlr]

It looks like grandma's walker. A skywalker!

My first thought was "pool ladder".

[jpo234]

The Polaris Flickr stream has been updated with photos from the EVA suit event.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/polarisprogramphotos/

[ddspaceman]

Homer Hickam
@realhomerhickam
Super interview by Hal & Jim with Jared @rookisaacman on the #OctoberSky Minute by Minute. Jared talks about @SpaceCampUSA & other early influences & his upcoming @PolarisProgram flight.

Note: I am not always at Space Camp as Jared infers (that's the only place he sees me so I get why he might think that) but, yes, I did design  their Underwater Astronaut Trainer (wrote about that in my memoir Don't  Blow Yourself Up), I am still on the board there and attend meetings regularly, and during summers, I also meet weekly with the teachers who  come there on scholarships. Otherwise, I tend to be home writing like a  writer should or cleaning litter boxes which can at times be somewhat  similar. 😉

https://octoberskyminute.com/cm/podcast/minute-016-part-of-the-outside-world/

https://twitter.com/realhomerhickam/status/1787344909755715599

[ddspaceman]

Sarah Gillis
@Gillis_SarahE
I’m so excited to finally share this with the world: A Musician’s Guide to Reaching for the Stars! 💫

https://polarisdawn.elsistemausa.org

Inspired by my journey from violinist to engineer and astronaut, this is a fun educational resource to explore with your kids and students! #space4music

El Sistema USA®
@ElSistemaUSA
🚀🎶 Classical violinist turned space explorer @Gillis_SarahE  is getting ready to launch on a historic mission to space with @PolarisProgram Polaris Dawn and @SpaceX ! Introducing "A Musician's Guide to Reaching for the Stars," https://polarisdawn.elsistemausa.org!

We developed this pioneering curriculum with Sarah to inspire students to pursue their dreams through music and exploration. #Space4Music

The curriculum consists of five Mission Prep Zones, each with a unique Challenge activity, plus engaging videos by Sarah Gillis and expert guests exploring topics such as music, creativity, social-emotional skills, and the mysteries of outer space. 💫

Over the next few weeks, we’ll work through each Mission Prep Zone as the Polaris Dawn crew gears up for liftoff– and we want you to join us! After completing a Challenge, don’t forget to tag us and use the hashtag #Space4Music for your chance to get a shout-out from space! 🎵✨

https://twitter.com/Gillis_SarahE/status/1787540350514372654

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1787841443748360213

Polaris Dawn seeks to push us out of our comfort zone.

https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/05/private-astronauts-to-fly-highest-mission-since-apollo-make-groundbreaking-eva/

[Oersted]

Kidd Poteet
@KiddPoteet
Only one way to make this EVA suit even more real…wear it in space!! SpaceX suits team has achieved something incredible with the design, development, creation, testing, & cert of a new EVA suit in just 2 yrs! Something that hasn’t been accomplished in +4 decades. Proud to represent and honored to wear!!!  LET’S GO!!!!!! @PolarisProgram @SpaceX

https://twitter.com/KiddPoteet/status/1787185284230123858

Last picture is, for me, the best view of the EVA suit, and it looks AMAZING! - So slim compared to the bulky outfits of Apollo, the Shuttle and the ISS. Almost looks as skinny as the Mercury suits. Will be interesting to see how much this suit balloons in a vacuum.

[CuddlyRocket]

EXCLUSIVE: The members of the Polaris Dawn crew are live in studio ahead of their private five-day private mission on SpaceX’s Dragon and first ever all-civilian spacewalk this summer.

Aargh: Both NASA and ESA have many civilian astronauts and I'd be astonished if in all those of years of 2-person spacewalks during Shuttle and ISA operations that there always only one civilian!

[FutureSpaceTourist]

B1083 is for Polaris Dawn?

https://twitter.com/rookisaacman/status/1788274038608994711

SpaceX Falcon 9 B1083 is set to launch the Starlink 6-56 mission from 39A. [May 8]

["The Phantom Menace" meme]
"We will watch your career with great interest."

https://twitter.com/rookisaacman/status/1788280887429247092

Blue seas and blue skies for Falcon 9 landing. [May 8]

Welcome back 1083

Edit to add:

https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1788283266165858555

I'd be a bit concerned. This booster only has three flights of experience. Might want something more seasoned ...

[JSz]

EXCLUSIVE: The members of the Polaris Dawn crew are live in studio ahead of their private five-day private mission on SpaceX’s Dragon and first ever all-civilian spacewalk this summer.

Aargh: Both NASA and ESA have many civilian astronauts and I'd be astonished if in all those of years of 2-person spacewalks during Shuttle and ISA operations that there always only one civilian!

Perhaps it meant "civilian" not in the sense of "non-military" but rather "non-professional" astronaut?

[gongora]

0857-EX-ST-2024

This application is for backup/contingency use of LC-39A at KSC for launch and on-orbit operations of the upcoming non-Federal Polaris Dawn mission should we need to launch from pad 39A instead of LC-40 at CCSFS.
The spacecraft will radiate from T-7 hours as specified below until splashdown approximately 5 days later.

[cohberg]

Everyday Astronaut - Polaris Interview
How Polaris Dawn Will Do The First Commercial Spacewalk!



Notes:

Overall Mission
NET 2nd half of June

EVA
EVA atmosphere adjustment protocol is ~45 hours, starts 1 hour after launch
Normal Dragon Atmosphere: 14.1-14.5 PSI, 21% O₂ (normal PPO₂ ~21%)
Dragon Atmosphere Before Spacewalk: 8.5 PSI, 32% O₂  (pre spacewalk PPO₂ ~19%, nice! looks like we got it right previously)
(Based on the previously calculated numbers, should need <40 minutes prebreath from 8.5 PSI.)
"We are not getting to 100% O₂ in the Spacecraft" - Sarah (should stop all the alarmist calls about additional fire risk)
EVA will be livestreamed

Suit
Visor
 - Copper coating: "sunglasses", protection from harmful radiation
 - ITO (indium tin oxide) - thermal, "retain the heat"
 - anti fog
 - impact resistant
 - all elements above are single layer
 - "Visibility is great" - Kidd
Confirmation that its no longer a leg / bottom entrance /  "inseam", now waist / middle
Different patterning for restraint layer
Specific considerations for hardpoints when strapped in, soft joints when unpressurized
Pyron felt (heat-blocking and fire barrier material) on the soles of boots - also used on Dragon / F9
Some parts that have 15 layers of materials (MLI)
Redundancy / fault tolerance - redundant O₂ supply, check valves
HUD - system health via color code (O₂ timer was newly mentioned)

Dragon
Starlink lasers are finally confirmed to be in the trunk
Add Nitrogen Repress system
(Used the specific term Nitrogen again and not Nitrox)
(the suits are bleeding pure O₂ into the cabin during cabin repress and Dragon will likely need to regulate O₂ from onboard to nail the final composition vs nitrox being fixed ratio)
Seat changes to allow for "O₂ [delivery] in pairs" (not sure how thats different than the existing buddy breath setup)

[CuddlyRocket]

EXCLUSIVE: The members of the Polaris Dawn crew are live in studio ahead of their private five-day private mission on SpaceX’s Dragon and first ever all-civilian spacewalk this summer.

Aargh: Both NASA and ESA have many civilian astronauts and I'd be astonished if in all those of years of 2-person spacewalks during Shuttle and ISA operations that there always only one civilian!

Perhaps it meant "civilian" not in the sense of "non-military" but rather "non-professional" astronaut?

If 'non-professional' is what they were getting at, 'civilian' is a terrible word to use. There are plenty of NASA and ESA astronauts who are civilians (and described as such) and difficult to describe as non-professional (as is the case with the two SpaceX engineer mission specialists)! The Polaris Dawn crew are non-governmental or private astronauts.

[ddspaceman]

Marcus House
@MarcusHouse
Oooff... That was a close call.

Jacqui Goddard
@JacquiGoddard1
A split second’s skillful reaction saved a wingtip brush from turning into anything worse as four L-39 Albatross from @rookisaacman’s Polaris #GhostSquadron performed at the Ft Lauderdale Air Show today.

https://twitter.com/MarcusHouse/status/1789892323989418331