Polaris Dawn Crew Back Down to Earth, Achieving Major Objectives During Their Five-Day Mission

After nearly five days orbiting Earth, the astronauts aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, part of the groundbreaking Polaris Dawn mission, safely splashed down off the coast of Florida at 3:36:54 a.m. EDT. The mission, launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 5:23 a.m. EDT on September 10, 2024, concluded successfully, marking a new era in commercial space exploration.

Following the splashdown, SpaceX teams promptly recovered the Dragon spacecraft. The crew then flew back to KenneSpacedy Space Center to reunite with their families and undergo initial medical checks before continuing to Houston, Texas, to complete further mission research.

The Polaris Dawn crew achieved several historic milestones during their mission, including:

• Highest Earth Orbit in History: Flying at an unprecedented altitude of 1,408.1 kilometers (874.9 miles) above Earth, the crew reached the highest Earth orbit ever flown by a Dragon spacecraft, passing through the Van Allen radiation belt. This altitude is over three times farther than the International Space Station and represents the highest altitude of any human spaceflight mission since the Apollo program.
• First-Ever Commercial Spacewalk: The mission completed the first commercial extravehicular activity (EVA) while orbiting Earth at speeds of 17,500 miles per hour. This spacewalk, enabled by SpaceX’s newly designed EVA spacesuits, marks a significant step in developing technologies for future long-duration space missions.
• Groundbreaking Scientific Research: In collaboration with 31 global institutions, the Polaris Dawn mission conducted approximately 36 experiments aimed at advancing knowledge in human health both on Earth and in preparation for future spaceflights.
• Revolutionary Space Communications: The crew tested laser-based satellite communication, using optical links between the Dragon spacecraft and Starlink satellites. This new system has the potential to revolutionize space communication by enhancing speed and quality.
• Inspiring the Next Generation: Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Anna Menon read her book, Kisses From Space, dedicated to her family and the patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, creating a touching moment of connection between space and Earth.
• Musical Unity from Space: A special musical performance during the mission showcased the power of music to unite the world. Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis played “Rey’s Theme” by John Williams from space, using Starlink to send her violin performance back to Earth. Her performance was accompanied by youth musicians from El Sistema USA, Venezuela, Sweden, Uganda, Brazil, and Haiti, in a first-of-its-kind video enabled by Starlink’s high-speed internet. This historic moment raised awareness and funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and El Sistema USA.

The Polaris Dawn mission’s successful conclusion marks a new chapter in commercial space exploration, pushing the boundaries of human spaceflight and scientific discovery. The mission has laid the groundwork for future exploration, inspiring generations to come.

About Polaris Dawn

Polaris Dawn is the first of three human spaceflights under the Polaris Program. The program is named after Polaris, a constellation of three stars more commonly known as the North Star, which has been a guiding light throughout human history to help us navigate the world and inspire progress. The Polaris Program has partnered with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and El Sistema USA ® to create the Harmony of Resilience. This partnership is grounded in a shared belief in the power of human resilience and pursuit of extraordinary goals. Inspired by the universal language of music and the relentless fight against childhood cancers and diseases, this moment was created with the hope of inspiring the next generation to look towards the stars. Not just to dream, but to overcome, persevere, and achieve the seemingly impossible. Both organizations can be supported at https://polarisprogram.com/music/.