Dray
Overview of the Mission
On Thursday, four US civilians are set to embark on the first-ever private spacewalk, a groundbreaking event usually reserved for trained astronauts. This historic mission, known as Polaris Dawn, is being conducted aboard a SpaceX capsule that launched from Florida early Tuesday.
Key Participants
Jared Isaacman – Mission Commander
Jared Isaacman, the driving force behind the Polaris Dawn mission, serves as the mission commander. The 41-year-old billionaire from Pennsylvania is the CEO of Shift4 Payments, a company he founded at age 16. A seasoned pilot with military qualifications and several world records, Isaacman previously went to space in 2021 on the Inspiration4 mission, which was the first orbital spacecraft to feature no professional astronauts. His dedication to space exploration aligns with SpaceX’s goal of making humanity a multi-planet species.
Sarah Gillis – SpaceX Astronaut Trainer
Sarah Gillis, 30, is one of the two SpaceX employees joining the mission. As the head of astronaut training at SpaceX, Gillis trained Isaacman for his previous space mission, Inspiration4. Her husband also works for SpaceX, contributing to the spacecraft’s propulsion system used in Polaris Dawn.
Anna Menon – Former NASA Employee
Anna Menon, 38, brings her experience from NASA to the mission. Menon, who has authored a children’s book titled “Kisses from Space,” will read an excerpt during the mission. The proceeds from the book support a children’s hospital. Her husband, Anil Menon, was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2021 but has not yet traveled to space.
Scott Poteet – Pilot
Scott Poteet, a US Air Force veteran and triathlete, rounds out the Polaris Dawn team as the pilot. With 20 years of experience flying combat aircraft, including time with the Thunderbirds air aerobatic patrol, Poteet’s expertise and close friendship with Isaacman make him a valuable addition to the mission.
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