While much of the Polaris Dawn crew training deals with technical info and details, the team also uses training experiences to practice having and handling big emotions. Going into space is a huge challenge—it only makes sense challenging feelings will come along with that adventure!
By walking through experiences that recreate situations from orbit, the team can learn to anticipate how they will actually respond in space. And, by intentionally taking on big challenges together, they can feel better prepared for how they will all react to big things together in orbit.
Watch below to hear Joe Tanner’s advice as Sarah prepares for both the physical and emotional feelings that will come up in space. Then, get a sense of each crew member’s unique emotional world by checking out the variety of emotions they show while heading into training challenges
And, according to Joe Tanner, it’s one of the top things Sarah should be playing with during her time in orbit!
Get some practice using a tried-and-true (and fully astronaut-approved) strategy for handling the many emotions of a challenging day: turning on your favorite music. But first, take a moment to picture yourself in the exciting role of guest crew member on the Polaris Dawn mission. You see, for this activity it’s no ordinary day that needs some musical support…it’s a day in orbit!
Start by looking through the timeline [below] of some real-life moments the Polaris Dawn crew will experience during one of their days in orbit.
- If you were part of the crew for this day, what emotions might you be feeling—or want to feel—during each of these activities?
Now, take on this Zone’s Challenge Question and imagine you could have your favorite music along with you on this busy day in orbit:
What Music Would You Bring to Space?
Create a mini Mission Playlist for yourself by focusing on three or four events in the timeline. Choose some favorite songs or pieces you think would help you connect to those activities and your emotions while you’re doing them.
- How will hearing or playing your musical choice help you settle into a positive emotion or handle a challenging one?
- What is it about your song or piece choices that make them feel like a good fit for these moments on the mission?
Compare your emotion ideas and playlist choices with a friend’s or family member’s.
Are their feelings about the events on the timeline similar or different from yours? Why might that be? Ask some follow-up questions to find out more!
- What musical choices from their playlist surprised you?
- Which ones would you consider adding to your own mission playlist?
Want to tell us about the music you’d bring to space? Share your Mission Playlist ideas on social media using the hashtag #space4music. We will be sharing selected Playlist ideas in this Zone’s Challenge Accepted! space. A few messages may even make it to space with Sarah Gillis!
SpaceX is working to revolutionize internet connectivity here on Earth, using their Starlink satellites to provide high speed internet connectivity all around the world. This technology uses lasers to send data between satellites, rather than sending along fiber cables underground.
The cool part is that these lasers can also be pointed away from the earth, and used to bring internet connectivity to other orbiting spacecraft as well. Polaris Dawn will be the first mission to test internet connectivity to the Dragon spacecraft, using space lasers!
If everything is successful with checkouts on-orbit, we may get a special message from the Polaris Dawn crew – stay tuned during the mission!
