Polaris Dawn Mission Sees First Private Spacewalk, Paving the Way for Future Mars Missions
WASHINGTON: In a groundbreaking achievement for commercial space travel, SpaceX successfully conducted the first private spacewalk during the Polaris Dawn mission on September 12, 2024. Billionaire Jared Isaacman, 41, and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis, 30, stepped into the vacuum of space, tethered to their Crew Dragon capsule as it orbited hundreds of miles above Earth. The spacewalk represents a significant advancement in private space exploration, marking a major milestone for future missions, including the goal of sending humans to Mars. As part of the mission, the two astronauts spent about 10 minutes each outside the capsule, while their crewmates Scott Poteet and Anna Menon remained inside. The mission lasted one hour and 46 minutes, pushing the boundaries of what private companies can achieve in space. Jared Isaacman, founder of Shift4, was the first to step outside the capsule, followed by Gillis. The mission tested new technologies, including slimmer, more flexible spacesuits and a full depressurization of the Crew Dragon cabin, all designed to advance the capabilities of private space travel. Elon Musk's SpaceX, which led the mission, hopes to refine these technologies for future Mars missions. Once back inside the spacecraft, Isaacman reflected on the beauty of Earth as seen from space. This mission is considered one of SpaceX's most daring yet, solidifying its position as the only private company capable of routinely sending people into orbit and returning them safely. Before stepping outside, the crew completely depressurized the capsule, relying on their specially designed SpaceX suits for oxygen through an umbilical connection to the spacecraft. Both Isaacman and Gillis tested the suits' flexibility and comfort, offering valuable feedback for future improvements.
The Polaris Dawn mission’s goal was to push the limits of private space companies, with SpaceX ground teams at its California headquarters closely monitoring the entire operation. They ensured the astronauts' safe return by overseeing the closure of the capsule's hatch and conducting safety checks.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson praised the mission as a "giant leap forward" for commercial spaceflight, emphasizing the role private companies like SpaceX play in building a sustainable U.S. space economy. The mission echoes the first U.S. spacewalk in 1965, where an astronaut was tethered outside a depressurized capsule.
Though Isaacman has not disclosed the cost of the mission, it is expected to run into the hundreds of millions of dollars. Seats aboard the Crew Dragon typically cost around $55 million each.
The Polaris crew was composed of highly experienced individuals. Gillis joined SpaceX as an intern in 2015, and Poteet is a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel. The mission also included SpaceX engineer Anna Menon. Over the course of the mission, the spacecraft reached altitudes of up to 1,400 km—the farthest humans have traveled since the final Apollo mission in 1972.
Previously, spacewalks were the domain of government-trained astronauts. Since the establishment of the International Space Station (ISS) in 2000, around 270 spacewalks have been conducted, with 16 on China’s Tiangong space station. The Polaris crew trained for over two and a half years, undergoing simulations and real-world experiences to prepare for the mission, according to Poteet.
Currently, a record 19 astronauts are in orbit, including 12 aboard the ISS. On Wednesday, a Russian Soyuz mission transported additional astronauts to the station. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon has completed over a dozen astronaut missions, primarily for NASA, since 2001.
The Crew Dragon capsule was developed as part of a NASA program to create commercial vehicles for astronaut transport to the ISS. Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which is part of the same program, faced challenges during its first crewed mission in June, leaving astronauts aboard the ISS. They will return in a Crew Dragon capsule next year.
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