In a significant step forward for space exploration and future colonization, SpaceX has recently unveiled new spacesuits for the upcoming Polaris Dawn mission. The company announced that the crew will don specially designed extravehicular activity (EVA) suits for the historic five-day journey, which will include the first commercial spacewalk. These new suits are a modified version of the Intravehicular Activity (IVA) suits currently used onboard the Dragon spacecraft on SpaceX missions.
The launch of the Polaris Dawn mission is scheduled for no earlier than summer 2024, with Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of SpaceX, emphasizing the importance of these suits in preparing for ambitious goals like building bases on the Moon and cities on Mars. Musk revealed that the main challenge was designing a suit that allows for agile movement despite pressurization. This marks a significant advancement in space technology and paves the way for new possibilities in space exploration and colonization.
The Polaris program was initially announced by billionaire Jared Isaacman in February 2022 but has faced challenges, including the development of the new EVA suits. However, with this breakthrough, it is now clear that this mission will be a crucial step toward achieving long-duration missions essential for multiplanetary life.