SpaceX's attempt at the first ever private spacewalk next week will be a test of trailblazing equipment, including slim spacesuits and a cabin with no...
WASHINGTON - SpaceX's attempt at the first ever private spacewalk next week will be a test of trailblazing equipment, including slim spacesuits and a cabin with no airlock, in one of the riskiest missions yet for Elon Musk 's space company.
Crew members, including billionaire Jared Isaacman, will don SpaceX's new, slimline spacesuits in a Crew Dragon vehicle that was modified so it can open its hatch door in the vacuum of space - an unusual process that removes the need for an airlock. For SpaceX, which has pioneered cheap, reusable rockets and expensive private spaceflight, the mission is an opportunity to advance technologies that could be used on the moon and Mars.Far outside the protective bubble of Earth's atmosphere, the electronics and shielding on Crew Dragon and spacesuits will be tested as they pass through parts of the Van Allen belt, an area where charged particles streaming mainly from the sun can disrupt satellites' electronics and affect human health.
Nitrogen, if present in astronauts' bloodstreams in space, could form bubbles, block blood flow and lead to decompression sickness, known as "the bends," as with scuba divers who return too quickly to the water's surface. SpaceX officials and the Polaris crew said during a Monday news conference they have planned for an array of contingency scenarios if something during the mission goes wrong, such as an oxygen leak or failure to reseal the hatch door, but they did not detail what those were.
Garrett Reisman Jared Isaacman Crew Dragon Spacesuits Elon Musk Private Spaceflight Hatch Door
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Elon Musk's Trump interview marred by technical glitches, Musk says its a malicious attackElon Musk's much-awaited interview with former President Donald Trump was marred by technical glitches on Monday, with people unable to join the audio conversation on X's Spaces platform.
Read more »
Elon Musk's Trump interview marred by technical glitches, Musk says its a malicious attackElon Musk's much-awaited interview with former President Donald Trump was marred by technical glitches on Monday, with people unable to join the audio...
Read more »
Musk wants to moves HQs to Texas: Why others may not followTesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk recently said he will move the headquarters for SpaceX and X from California to Texas (SpaceX is already incorporated in Texas...
Read more »
Musk wants to moves HQs to Texas: Why others may not followTesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk recently said he will move the headquarters for SpaceX and X from California to Texas (SpaceX is already incorporated in Texas...
Read more »
Rocket Lab CEO: 'We have the right combination' to break SpaceX’s monopolyRocket Lab CEO Peter Beck sees the company's Neutron rocket as 'the last piece of the puzzle' in its ongoing quest to build out an end-to-end space company. ...
Read more »
4 civilians prepare for the riskiest SpaceX mission to dateThe Polaris Dawn crew stands in front of their SpaceX capsule. From left to right: Anna Menon, Scott 'Kidd' Poteet, Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis.
Read more »