SpaceX is gearing up for its groundbreaking Polaris Dawn mission, scheduled to launch early Tuesday morning from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission marks a significant leap forward in commercial space exploration, as it will see four private astronauts venturing into orbit and carrying out the first commercial spacewalk. The five-day journey aboard a Crew Dragon spacecraft promises to be more than just a space tourism venture; it’s an opportunity to advance scientific research in a unique environment.
One of the key focal points of the mission is human health research, with several institutions sending experiments into orbit. Notably, the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) at Baylor College of Medicine is conducting a series of studies aimed at understanding how space travel affects the human body. These experiments include testing a miniaturized, intelligent ultrasound device on the astronauts, enabling them to perform self-scans for quick, medical-quality images. This technology holds potential for future space health strategies, allowing astronauts to assess their health in remote locations.
Further research encompasses investigating the impact of space travel on eyesight, a well-known concern for astronauts on long-duration missions. The astronauts will also be monitored to gauge how fluids in their bodies shift and pool in the upper half during spaceflight, another common spaceflight issue. The mission will also explore methods for combating motion sickness, which affects some crew members, and gather data on space radiation exposure to better understand its effects on astronauts.
The significance of this research is highlighted by TRISH Executive Director and Associate Professor for the Center for Space Medicine at Baylor, Dorit Donoviel, who emphasizes the Institute’s dedication to helping humans thrive in deep space. She expresses gratitude to the Polaris Program for recognizing the importance of health research in their missions, stating that it serves as a path to improving health for all humans, both in space and on Earth.
With the readiness review for Polaris Dawn complete, all systems are go for the launch on Tuesday morning. Stay tuned for updates as SpaceX embarks on this historic mission.
