In a groundbreaking achievement for commercial spaceflight, SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission has successfully completed the first private spacewalk on September 12, 2024. This marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time non-governmental astronauts have ventured outside a spacecraft in orbit. Commanded by billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, the crew has been orbiting Earth aboard the Crew Dragon capsule since their launch from Kennedy Space Center on September 10.
The spacewalk involved Isaacman and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis, both donning specially designed spacesuits. This walk was part of a mission designed to test the new spacesuits and demonstrate private sector capabilities in human space exploration. Their efforts are expected to pave the way for future commercial missions beyond Earth's orbit, including potential lunar or Martian exploration.
Polaris Dawn and Dragon at 1,400 km above Earth – the farthest humans have traveled since the Apollo program over 50 years ago pic.twitter.com/rRDeD1dY1e
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 11, 2024
The Polaris Dawn mission, funded and commanded by Isaacman, who also led the Inspiration4 mission in 2021, aims to push the boundaries of private space exploration. This includes a target to reach one of the highest altitudes of any crewed mission in recent history, orbiting Earth at a maximum altitude of about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles). The spacewalk took place after two days of preparation, during which the crew engaged in a rigorous "pre-breathe" protocol, designed to prevent decompression sickness, commonly known as "the bends".
The entire spacewalk lasted approximately two hours. During this time, Isaacman and Gillis ventured outside the capsule while fellow crew members, retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Scott Poteet and SpaceX engineer Anna Menon, monitored operations from inside the spacecraft. The team performed a series of mobility tests with the new spacesuits, specifically evaluating their dexterity and maneuverability in the vacuum of space.
Watch Dragon’s first spacewalk with the @PolarisProgram’s Polaris Dawn crew https://t.co/svdJRkGN7K
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 12, 2024
The mission highlights SpaceX's ambitious plans to expand human spaceflight opportunities, furthering the vision of commercializing space travel. The Polaris Dawn crew's successful spacewalk showcases the increasing potential for private companies to participate in space exploration, a sector traditionally dominated by government agencies like NASA and Roscosmos.
This mission also has several broader objectives. In addition to the spacewalk, the crew is conducting scientific experiments and testing Starlink’s satellite internet capabilities in space. They plan to send a message from orbit using SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network, an effort that will demonstrate how such technology could be used for future deep-space communication.
Isaacman, who has bankrolled this mission, has not disclosed the total cost of the Polaris Dawn mission, though estimates suggest it runs into hundreds of millions of dollars. This investment in the advancement of space technology emphasizes the growing role of private sector funding in space exploration. It’s worth noting that SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule has been instrumental in this push. The spacecraft, designed for both NASA and commercial missions, has become the centerpiece of SpaceX's human spaceflight operations.
Despite the high risks involved, including operating at altitudes where radiation exposure is higher and maintaining safety during a fully depressurized spacewalk, the mission proceeded without major incidents. This achievement underscores SpaceX’s ability to handle complex operations previously thought to be the sole domain of national space agencies.
