SpaceX is gearing up for an extraordinary mission: sending a private crew of astronauts on a five-day journey through Earth orbit, marking a historic milestone. What makes this mission even more remarkable is that the crew will be the first to test SpaceX’s latest spacesuit design during a groundbreaking spacewalk.
In a recent update on May 4th, SpaceX unveiled the long-awaited design of its extravehicular activity (EVA) suit. These new spacesuits will be worn by the Polaris Dawn crew, part of a series of private astronaut missions spearheaded by billionaire Jared Isaacman. The inaugural mission is set to launch no earlier than this summer.
During the five-day mission, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft will orbit Earth elliptically, allowing the private astronauts to conduct research, gather data, and perform experiments. However, the highlight of the mission will undoubtedly be the first-ever commercial astronaut spacewalk, a historic event that will also mark the first spacewalk from the Dragon spacecraft.
Reports suggest that SpaceX faced challenges during the design phase of the new EVA suits, contributing to delays in the Polaris Dawn mission. Originally slated for launch in late 2022, the mission encountered setbacks likely attributed to the complexity of designing the new spacesuits. Sources revealed in February that SpaceX underestimated the effort required to adapt its pressurized suit design into an EVA suit.
In January, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk acknowledged the need to redesign the suits for better mobility, emphasizing the difficulty of maneuvering in an inflated suit. It appears that SpaceX has overcome these challenges with its latest design.
The new spacesuits represent an evolution of SpaceX’s current astronaut suits, with enhancements tailored to support extravehicular activities. Developed with mobility as a priority, SpaceX incorporated new materials, fabrication techniques, and innovative joint designs to improve flexibility in pressurized scenarios while ensuring comfort during unpressurized activities.
Key features of the EVA suit include a 3D-printed helmet with a visor to reduce Sun glare, a Heads-Up Display (HUD), and a camera providing vital information on pressure, temperature, and humidity. Seals and pressure valves are integrated to maintain suit pressurization during the spacewalk.
Furthermore, the suits boast a scalable design adaptable to various body types, aligning with SpaceX’s commitment to democratizing access to space. With an eye towards future exploration, SpaceX has designed these suits with missions to the Moon and Mars in mind, envisioning their role in humanity’s journey beyond Earth.
