International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

Polaris Dawn: SpaceX’s Mission for First private Spacewalk

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Polaris Dawn Mission

SpaceX launched its Polaris Dawn Mission sending a four-person crew of civilians on a first-ever commercial spacewalk into Earth's Van Allen radiation belts.

Why in the News?

SpaceX launched its Polaris Dawn Mission sending a four-person crew of civilians on a first-ever commercial spacewalk into Earth’s Van Allen radiation belts.

What is Polaris Dawn Mission?

  • It is a privately-funded space mission led by billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, in collaboration with SpaceX.
  • It is set to be the first non-government mission to conduct a spacewalk.
  • This 700km altitude will surpass the current record held by NASA’s Gemini 11 mission in 1966.
  • The mission will test new spacesuits designed by SpaceX to protect astronauts from high radiation levels encountered in the Van Allen Belts.

What are the Van Allen Belts?

  • The Van Allen Belts are two zones of charged particles that surround Earth, held in the magnetosphere.
  • These belts were discovered in 1958 by American physicist James Van Allen.

Why are the Van Allen Belts dangerous for Humans?

  • The Van Allen Belts are dangerous for humans because they contain high levels of radiation that can pose significant health risks to astronauts.
  • The belts are filled with charged particles that can cause radiation sickness, damage human tissues, and increase the risk of cancer. 

 

PYQ:

[2011] What is the difference between asteroids and comets?

  1. Asteroids are small rocky planetoids, while comets are formed of frozen gases held together by rocky and metallic material.
  2. Asteroids are found mostly between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars, while comets are found mostly between Venus and Mercury.
  3. Comets show a perceptible glowing tail, while asteroids do not.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

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