2024-09-13 18:36:30
In the silence of space, 700 km from us, the crew of Polaris Dawn achieved a small success this Thursday. Jared Isaacman, an American multi-billionaire, and Sarah Gillis, an employee of SpaceX, Elon Musk’s company, exercised, each for about ten minutes, into the vacuum of space, as part of the Polaris Dawn mission. Extra-flight radio live and first history: civilians, non-expert astronauts, have never been out in space.
It was the first lsaacman, the 41-year-old and commander of the mission, who stepped out of the Crew Dragon capsule, holding onto the specially installed steel structure in front of him. “It’s amazing,” he said in front of the stunning views of the Earth, 700 km below, before giving it a few minutes later to his teammate.
“We really wonder if it can work”
The two “spacewalkers” did not float in space like Tintin and Captain Haddock, but made a few movements to test the new SpaceX design intended for the vacuum of space, one of the main goals of the mission.
“In a vacuum, the layers that are present expand, close and harden,” Christophe Bonnal, engineer and president of the International Academy of Astronautics, recently explained to us. SpaceX says it has found a solution for more flexible materials that stick to the skin. We really wonder if it can work. »
The other two members of the expedition, Scott Poteet and Anna Menon, did not get out but nevertheless succumbed to the vacuum of space once the ship opened, the latter not being equipped with an airlock. A situation that is not without risk – but there is nothing in this type of mission – but everything went smoothly, Space X achieved another important success.
“Today’s achievement represents a major step forward for the commercial space industry and NASA’s long-term goal of establishing a strong American space economy,” said Bill Nelson, head of the agency. “I think NASA is happy: a private company that advances technology and that money does not come from the taxpayer,” summary astronaut Jean-François Clervoy. Perhaps Apollo’s mother will also be seduced by the striking combination.
Unlike those used on the International Space Station (ISS), Crew Dragon suits are attached to the capsule by an internal cable. This choice avoids having to carry a large backpack, but it limits freedom and travel, explains Jean-François Clervoy: “They don’t have complex tasks to do. We don’t think this swimsuit can do much. “But Polaris Dawn is only the dawn of a program during which SpaceX can finish with certainty.
First since 1972
And the show? Jean-François Clervoy, who didn’t miss a beat said: “I just regret that they went out last night. The images, in fact, mainly show the less bright side of the Earth, which does not prevent millions of Internet users from being surprised. “He’s very professional, very knowledgeable,” said Novespace’s CEO.
This mission – the successful dream of a billionaire who can have anything, including renting a train from Elon Musk’s company – has already been achieved the day before. “Polaris, you have arrived at a distance from Earth not reached since the Apollo missions,” the ground team greeted over the radio, although the crew was 1,400 km from our planet. Since humans last walked on the Moon in 1972, no one has ever returned this far.
But beyond the records and symbols, the four crew members have a long list of 38 scientific tests that they must perform before the end of the mission, this Sunday, September 15, and which are related corresponding to a better understanding of the effects of the jet plane. and global warming on human health. They are also responsible for testing laser communication on SpaceX satellites.
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