The Polaris Dawn mission has commenced, marking a significant step in space exploration with a crew of four civilians embarking on the first-ever civilian spacewalk. The mission was launched by SpaceX early Tuesday at 5:23 a.m. ET from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Over the course of five days, the crew will operate in orbit while attempting a commercial spacewalk.
One of the key objectives of the mission is to test Starlink’s laser communication system aboard the Dragon spacecraft, which SpaceX believes could enhance future communication technology for missions targeting the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
This mission represents the first operational test of Starlink’s laser communications. SpaceX has equipped the Dragon spacecraft’s trunk with a “Plug and Plaser” laser communication system designed to maintain connectivity with Starlink satellites throughout the duration of the mission. Additionally, a Starlink router has been installed within the Dragon’s cabin.
Since early 2021, SpaceX has been launching Starlink satellites that feature laser communication capabilities. Earlier this year, Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s president and COO, announced plans to commercialize this laser technology, referring to it as “Plug and Plaser.” During the SATELLITE 2024 conference, she expressed enthusiasm for the potential applications of this technology, including connecting Dragon to the internet and facilitating communication for future lunar and Martian bases.
The Polaris Dawn mission will reach unprecedented heights, flying higher than any prior Dragon mission and achieving the highest Earth orbit recorded since the Apollo program over 50 years ago. The crew will also test newly developed SpaceX EVA spacesuits and conduct various scientific research activities.
Jessica Jensen, SpaceX’s vice president of Customer Integration and Operations, remarked, “What the crew and Dragon aim to achieve over the next few days – from the first-ever commercial spacewalk in newly-designed EVA suits to traveling the farthest in Earth’s orbit since the Apollo program over 50 years ago to testing Starlink – all of this contributes to SpaceX’s aim to help humanity have greater access to space on our way to returning to the Moon, traveling to Mars, and beyond.”