Records Set During Recent 5-Day Flight

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) announced the recognition of the Polaris Dawn orbital mission launched by SpaceX Dragon spacecraft into a highly elliptical orbit, during which it reached a record-breaking apogee of 875 miles, setting a national record for Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon as the furthest any women have flown from Earth.

The other record set during the 5-day mission was the Women’s Record for the highest altitude obtained by an orbital mission with more than one astronaut. The NAA is the official custodian of aviation and aerospace records in the United States and as such certifies all new records in the U.S. The World Air Sports Federation or Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) further cements the records by ratifying those that qualify as world records.

The NAA and FAI have been in a unique and valuable partnership since 1905 ensuring the highest standards in record certification.

Polaris Dawn is a private crewed spaceflight funded by Jared Isaacman and operated by SpaceX. The records were set on the first of three planned Polaris Dawn missions.

Amy Spowart, President and CEO of the National Aeronautic Association said, “Record-breaking flights, exemplified by the Polaris Dawn Mission, not only push the boundaries of human endeavor but also significantly advance our understanding of how space exploration influences science, health, and technology, inspiring hope for the future. This program and future space missions create exciting possibilities for how we see and utilize our place in the universe.”

FMI:  naa.aero/