Polaris Dawn: the first spacewalk by commercial astronauts will be historic, but the mission carries risks

By Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of the Space Economy Evolution Lab, Bocconi University

The Polaris Dawn mission has been attracting lots of attention because it will feature the first ever spacewalk by commercial space travellers. There are many reasons why this is a landmark mission. But, with its ambition comes a degree of risk.

The mission is backed by Elon Musk’s company SpaceX and there are no professional astronauts among the crew. Flying aboard the mission is a businessman, a fighter…

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