As early as March 2023, SpaceX will send its first Polaris Dawn missions into space. There will be four astronauts in the Dragon spacecraft launched into orbit by a reusable Falcon 9 rocket…but what’s in their eyes? Are they human at all?
Strange eyes, scary eyes
As part of a special manned mission, four astronauts will spend 5 days in space conducting various experiments. It will also host the first spacewalk by a private mission. However, after the photo of the crew (in the caption) was posted, many people noticed something unusual. What’s up with their eyes? Is there a glitch in the picture? Or maybe robots or people with electronic implants (after all, Musk is messing with the human brain with the help of Neuralink)? The secret was explained on Twitter by one of the astronauts, Anna Menon. The crew wears special contact lenses with which eye pressure is measured
This futuristic measuring instrument is of great importance in the context of future manned spaceflight. During longer space missions, astronauts experience all kinds of unpleasant health effects, such as fluid buildup in the head due to the lack of gravity. In the same way, the circulation of fluids inside the eyeball, which is disrupted in weightlessness, occurs.
Polaris Dawn
The mission, called Polar Star, will fly higher than any previous mission involving the Dragon spacecraft in an effort to reach Earth’s highest orbit. They will be inside the Van Allen radiation belt conducting research to improve our understanding of the effects of cosmic rays on human health.
The Polaris Dawn mission crew will also be the first to practically test Starlink laser communication in space. The experiments will provide valuable data on the use of this technology for a future space communications system essential for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Sources: polarisprogram.com, twitter, technology.org
Echo Richards embodies a personality that is a delightful contradiction: a humble musicaholic who never brags about her expansive knowledge of both classic and contemporary tunes. Infuriatingly modest, one would never know from a mere conversation how deeply entrenched she is in the world of music. This passion seamlessly translates into her problem-solving skills, with Echo often drawing inspiration from melodies and rhythms. A voracious reader, she dives deep into literature, using stories to influence her own hardcore writing. Her spirited advocacy for alcohol isn’t about mere indulgence, but about celebrating life’s poignant moments.
