FEATURE (continued)
Embry‑Riddle began its work with Polaris Dawn, the Polaris Program’s first human spaceflight mission, in 2022, offering students a hands-on opportunity to contribute to space exploration. As part of this collaboration with Polaris Dawn, student researchers were to develop a camera system — entirely designed and built by students — which captured video of crew operations during the mission. The LLAMAS camera underwent significant pre-flight testing and was mounted in SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, according to Dr. Troy Henderson, director of Embry-Riddle’s Space Technologies Lab and associate professor of Aerospace Engineering. The footage captured during the flight will be used to create immersive virtual reality experiences. Additionally, the LLAMAS camera collected data on the temperature and radiation exposure experienced throughout the mission, providing insights into how space radiation affects human biological systems. Polaris Dawn, launched from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, was designed to push boundaries of human spaceflight. The five-day mission aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft achieved multiple firsts, including the first-ever spacewalk by a commercial astronaut crew, and traveled farther into space than any crewed mission since Apollo 17 in 1972. These goals required cutting-edge technology and precise scientific execution — in line with Embry-Riddle’s expertise and efforts to educate the next generation of scientists and engineers.
In addition, Embry-Riddle researchers contributed to studies on human health in space. Dr. Amber Paul, an assistant professor in the Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology, led efforts to analyze biospecimens collected from the Polaris Dawn crew. In collaboration with Weill Cornell Medicine and the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, her team examined the cellular and molecular effects of high-altitude spaceflight, expanding scientific understanding of human adaptability in space. “The unique mission objectives of high-altitude and extravehicular activity will enhance the understanding of the human health effects of cosmic radiation and microgravity,” she said. “We are grateful to be part of these important scientific questions. These are questions that will advance our understanding of human capabilities in extreme conditions, paving the way for future innovation and exploration.” This ongoing research is critical for the future of long-duration missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond. By studying the impact of cosmic radiation and microgravity on the human body, scientists can develop strategies to mitigate risks and enhance astronaut health for extended space travel. The Polaris Program is more than a technological endeavor; it represents a commitment to scientific discovery and humanitarian efforts. In addition to advancing human spaceflight, the mission raised funds and awareness for important initiatives on Earth.
15 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
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