Historic Private Spacewalk Happened
Curated by
dailies
3 min read
11,789
372
According to reports from Reuters and CNBC, SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission made history on September 12, 2024, when billionaire Jared Isaacman and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis conducted the first-ever private spacewalk. The groundbreaking event, which took place approximately 435 miles above Earth, marked a significant milestone in commercial space exploration and demonstrated the growing capabilities of private space companies.
phys
SpaceX launches all-civilian crew for first private spacewalk
foxweather
SpaceX Polaris Dawn crew completes first private spacewalk
Show all
Polaris Dawn Mission Overview
Planned private human spaceflight mission
Operator and Sponsor
Operated by SpaceX on behalf of Shift4 Payments CEO Jared Isaacman
Mission Objective
To launch a Crew Dragon capsule into the highest Earth orbit ever flown by a crewed spacecraft, conduct scientific research, and test new technologies including EVA spacesuits and intersatellite laser communication
Significant Crew Members
Jared Isaacman, Scott Poteet, Sarah Gillis, Anna Menon
Launched on September 10, 2024, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Polaris Dawn mission aimed to push the boundaries of private space exploration
1
2
. The five-day orbital expedition featured a crew of four non-professional astronauts aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule3
. Notable achievements of the mission include:
- Reaching a peak altitude of 870 miles (1,400 kilometers), the highest for a crewed mission since the Apollo era14
- Conducting 36 scientific experiments, including tests on contact lenses with embedded microelectronics4
- Evaluating laser-based satellite communication between the spacecraft and SpaceX's Starlink constellation54
- Exposing the crew to the Van Allen radiation belt to study its effects on human health4
5 sources
Key Participants: Isaacman and Gillis
Jared Isaacman, the 41-year-old billionaire CEO of Shift4 Payments, led the Polaris Dawn mission as its commander and primary funder
1
2
. With an estimated net worth of $1.9 billion, Isaacman has a background in aviation, boasting about 6,000 hours of flying experience2
. Sarah Gillis, a lead space operations engineer at SpaceX, joined Isaacman in performing the historic spacewalk1
3
. The crew also included:
- Scott "Kidd" Poteet, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, serving as mission pilot
- Anna Menon, another SpaceX engineer, acting as mission specialist and medical officer
4
.4 sources
Testing SpaceX Spacesuits
Handout
·
gettyimages.comThe spacewalk served as a crucial test for SpaceX's newly developed extravehicular activity (EVA) suits. These advanced spacesuits feature heads-up displays, helmet cameras, and an improved joint mobility system
1
2
. Designed with future long-duration missions in mind, the suits are intended to be scalable for potential use on the Moon and Mars1
. During the EVA, Isaacman and Gillis conducted mobility tests, evaluating the suits' performance in the vacuum of space while remaining tethered to the Dragon capsule via 12-foot umbilical cords that provided air, power, and communications3
4
.4 sources
Advancing Commercial Space Exploration
The successful private spacewalk marks a significant step towards SpaceX's ambitious goals of lunar and Martian exploration. As part of the broader Polaris program, this mission aims to develop technologies crucial for future long-duration spaceflights
1
. The achievement aligns with NASA's objective of fostering a vibrant U.S. space economy, with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson hailing it as "a giant leap forward for the commercial space industry"2
. By demonstrating the feasibility of private spacewalks and testing new spacesuit designs, SpaceX is paving the way for more extensive commercial space activities, including potential bases on the Moon and cities on Mars1
3
.3 sources
Related
What new technologies were tested during the Polaris Dawn mission
How does the Polaris Dawn mission contribute to SpaceX's long-term goals
What role did NASA play in the development of the Crew Dragon capsule
How does the Polaris Dawn mission compare to previous private space missions
What are the potential risks associated with private spacewalking missions
Keep Reading
Blue Origin's crewed mission success
Blue Origin successfully completed its seventh human spaceflight and the 25th mission for the New Shepard program on May 19, 2024, marking the company's return to crewed missions after a nearly two-year hiatus.
22,804
SpaceX Plans First Space Walk
SpaceX is poised to make history with its upcoming Polaris Dawn mission, set to launch on August 26, 2024, featuring the first-ever private spacewalk and pushing the boundaries of commercial space exploration. Led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, this ambitious mission aims to reach record-breaking altitudes, test new spacesuit technology, and conduct groundbreaking scientific research in orbit.
36,710
SpaceX Polaris Dawn Launch Delayed
SpaceX was set to launch the groundbreaking Polaris Dawn mission on August 27, 2024, marking a new era in private space exploration. However, the mission is experiencing a delay due to a helium leak, postponing the launch for at least one day. According to Space.com, this historic flight would have attempted the first-ever commercial spacewalk and reached the highest Earth orbit since the Apollo missions. The mission aims to push the boundaries of human spaceflight while conducting crucial...
45,029
Polaris Dawn Reaches Record Orbit
The Polaris Dawn mission, led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, has set a new record for the highest Earth orbit achieved by humans since the Apollo era. Launched on September 10, 2024, the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft reached an altitude of 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) above Earth's surface, surpassing the previous record set by NASA's Gemini 11 mission in 1966.
28,986