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The Polaris Dawn mission has achieved a new record for the highest orbit reached by humans, surpassing the previous record set by Gemini 11 in 1966.
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The four-member crew aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft “Resilience” reached an apogee of 1,400.7 kilometers (870 miles) on September 10, 2024.
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The mission aims to gather valuable data on the effects of space conditions on human health and spacecraft systems, informing future deep-space missions.
The Polaris Dawn mission, a privately funded spaceflight, has made history by setting a new record for the highest orbit reached by humans. On September 10, 2024, the four-member crew aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft “Resilience” reached an incredible altitude of 1,400.7 kilometers (870 miles), surpassing the previous record set by Gemini 11 in 1966.
Led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, the crew includes pilot Scott “Kidd” Poteet and SpaceX employees Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. The mission’s primary objective is to gather valuable data on the effects of space conditions on human health and spacecraft systems, which will inform future deep-space missions.
By venturing into the Van Allen radiation belts, the crew is providing valuable insights for future deep-space missions. The mission is also testing the performance of touchscreens and digital displays in the harsh environment of space, a feat never attempted at this altitude.
