BENS Member, Jared Isaacman

Polaris Dawn, the daring private mission into space led by BENS member Jared Isaacman, concluded this morning with its four astronauts safely splashing down off the coast of Florida. The five-day orbit marked a series of “firsts”, from the first commercial spacewalk and privately developed extravehicular activity suit used in space, to the first time SpaceX had its own employees on a flight. The mission, which also set the record as the highest-ever Earth orbit by humans, is also a landmark achievement for public-private partnership.

Polaris Dawn stands as a testament to what can be achieved when innovative private enterprises partner with government agencies to push the boundaries of human capability. In preparing for and executing Polaris Dawn, the crew received support from U.S. government agencies, including NASA and the Department of Defense, which provided expertise in areas such as safety protocols, spacewalk training, and communications technology. This partnership, which is the hallmark of BENS’ mission, illustrates the complementary strengths of both sectors, leveraging private sector agility and government expertise to pioneer new frontiers and enhance security.

Congratulations to Jared, the entire Polaris Dawn crew, and all those – from industry and the U.S. government – on this momentous achievement!

Photo: A time exposure shows photographers as they document the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of four as it launches from pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (Modified)