Is the SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission too risky? Let's talk about the first commercial space walk

Polaris Dawn is scheduled for launch on Tuesday, August 27. There are a lot of records for this mission: the first commercial spacewalk, the first time a Crew Dragon will be de-pressurized in space, the first time the SpaceX EVA suit will be used, the furthest humans have gone since the Apollo program, the furthest women astronauts will have ever traveled. But there's a lot of risk involved as well — let's talk about what this mission entails.

Thumbnail image credit: Polaris Program/SpaceX

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⏱ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction
00:52 - Overview and the crew
03:14 - Mission schedule
05:19 - The many risks
08:52 - The spacesuit and spacecraft
10:33 - Crew training

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[fladder]

Still less risky than a test flight in Starliner....

[Harald-]

This commercial adventure will be a lot less risky than getting into the Starliner on the laaunch pad!

[raytribble]

I made it to 64… that was after many motocross wrecks, knocked out surfing, free style rock climbing disasters, 272 skydiving jumps, falling from a mountain in 1996 on a remote hiking trip, numerous being thrown, knocked off and various mishaps on horses… and no… I never learned when to stop. My body finally said “enough” and in 2020 I was in the hospital diagnosed with heart failure and put on a heart transplant list… fast forward to 2024 and I was taken off the transplant list and told by my cardio team… “we have no idea, how your heart repaired itself”… the future and journey ahead has just as many risks as before… but we survive from struggle and gain strength from what we learn… I never liked living “inside of the lines” although humbled these past few years… I would fly on Polaris Dawn in a minute

[ghost]

There's a first time for EVERYTHING.

[Dwagginz]

It is risky, yes, but so is a lot of what we do in life. We wouldn't be in space in the first place if we didn't take these risks, so I don't see this as too much of a problem. I will, of course, be hoping that everything functions correctly and that the crew will indeed return safely.

[KatharineLikesCake]

Just found your channel, luv it, subscribed!

[antbotsquad]

It is crazy that the gemini astronauts that did space walks in the early 60s is perfectly normal but the spaceX EVA is the biggest deal in the world. Anyways, I loved the video.

[kiikaala]

Such an informative video with all the details! Thank you!

[catbertz]

Very excited for this mission, and the Polaris program in general. 🔥🚀

[victorkrawchuk]

An excellent video! Perhaps because NASA has become so risk-averse, we need missions like this to test new technology and procedures. I'm sure NASA will eventually use the new SpaceX EVA suits, the Skywalker adapter, Starlink laser communications, etc, but their internal procedures make it difficult to allow this until the things have been properly tested. Almost a Catch-22, but this is where private missions like this break the deadlock. If the final Polaris mission succeeds this will surely accelerate Starship's crew certification process.

[TheStarHound]

There also may be legal constraints on NASA accepting Jared Issacson's generous offer to repair the Hubble Space Telescope. Generally, federal law prohibits the Government agencies from accepting voluntary services. But I would love to see the Hubble repaired and upgraded. This looks like a risky and interesting mission. Thank you for the detailed preview. Best wishes to the crew. I am enjoying your videos here and your posts on Threads, Swapna.

[Steve]

venting the capsule with other astronauts inside was done during Apollo 9 spacewalk in 1969.

[minigpracing]

Humans have always performed risky things to advance knowledge. As long as all the participants know every risk and have a voice going forward when something that wasn't predicted happens, then that's really up to them. No one on the ground should really have the final say, only those with their lives on the line can make those final choices. Unanimous or abort, the only choice between that crew.

[Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

Swapna, at about 06:12 in this video...
*_"Space is inherently risky because it is actively always trying to kill you."_*

_Space_ is like _Australia, _ minus all the unique animals...😉

[joaohenriqueneuhaus]

10:33 I was also a bit worried for the spacesuit, because "vacuum" is scary thing, but then I listened to the interview and they mentioned they literally already walked inside a vacuum chamber. I wondered about that a lot and I was sure they wouldn't risk that, but they did, so they're as prepared as you can be.

[mrfairplay]

As exciting as this sounds, I keep getting Reed Richards vibes from the whole thing. Hoping for the best!

[brianfristensky]

Information packed presentation, as usual! Thanks for all of your work in bringing us these broadcasts.

[bernieeod]

No more risky than Ed Whites first EVA from Gemini

[benjaminfranklinkivettiv]

Humans are designed to take risks! Risk is what brings happiness in life. Good luck to the crew of polaris dawn!!

[paulalexandredumasseauvan]

excellent summary! 👍☺ i am looking forward to your video on what went right and wrong on this mission after its completion 🤔