SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission has achieved a historic milestone as two astronauts conducted the world’s first private spacewalk on Thursday, tethered to the Crew Dragon spacecraft hundreds of miles above Earth.
Billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, 41, exited the spacecraft first at around 6:52 a.m. ET (1052 GMT), followed by SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis, 30. Together, they became the first non-government individuals to undertake such an activity in space. Their groundbreaking maneuvers were streamed live on SpaceX’s website, captivating audiences worldwide as they ventured into the vacuum of space.
The mission marks a significant step forward in commercial space exploration. The Polaris Dawn crew launched into orbit on Tuesday for a five-day mission, with the spacewalk being a pivotal component. Despite a brief delay announced by SpaceX just an hour before the scheduled start, the team remained undeterred. The company reassured via social media platform X that “all systems are looking good,” and the spacewalk commenced at 6:12 a.m. ET (1012 GMT) with the flow of oxygen into the astronauts’ suits, signaling the commencement of this groundbreaking mission.
The plan involved Isaacman and Gillis taking turns exiting their capsule, remaining tethered near the hatch, while the other two crew members observed from inside. This endeavor not only tests new spacesuits developed by SpaceX but also paves the way for future private missions and advancements in space technology.
“This is a monumental achievement for the commercial space industry,” said Isaacman before the mission. “We’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and opening the door for more people to experience space.”
The successful completion of the spacewalk signifies a new era where private companies and individuals play a significant role in space exploration, traditionally dominated by government agencies. As SpaceX continues to innovate, missions like Polaris Dawn bring humanity one step closer to making space accessible to all.
Reference(s):
SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission crew completes 1st commercial spacewalk
cgtn.com
