On September 12, 2024, the Polaris Dawn mission made history as billionaire Jared Isaacman and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis successfully completed the first commercial spacewalk, orbiting Earth at nearly 30,000 km/h. The spacewalk, a bold step for privately funded space travel, was conducted at an altitude of 435 miles (700 km) above Earth.
Isaacman, who chartered the Polaris Dawn mission, was the first to exit the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, followed by Gillis. Both astronauts tested new slimmed-down spacesuits designed by SpaceX, marking a significant advancement in spacewear technology. Gillis performed mobility tests to assess the suit’s functionality in the vacuum of space, a key factor for future missions.
The mission stands out as private companies like SpaceX increasingly push the boundaries of space exploration, traditionally dominated by government agencies like NASA and Russia’s Roscosmos. NASA Chief Bill Nelson hailed the spacewalk as a “giant leap forward” for the commercial space industry, which aligns with NASA’s long-term goal of building a robust US space economy.
Key Highlights of Polaris Dawn Spacewalk:
- Date: September 12, 2024
- Crew: Jared Isaacman (Billionaire & Mission Funded), Sarah Gillis (SpaceX Engineer)
- Achievement: First commercial spacewalk, tested new SpaceX spacesuits
- Spacewalk Duration: 30 minutes
- Orbit Altitude: 435 miles above Earth
- Significance: Step toward accessible private space tourism and future deep space exploration
Isaacman, who funded the Polaris Dawn mission and the earlier Inspiration4 mission, has made it clear that these missions represent major milestones in making space travel more accessible and economical. Meanwhile, SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, continues to make strides toward its goal of sending astronauts to the moon and Mars.
Polaris Dawn’s spacewalk is also notable for happening alongside a record 19 astronauts orbiting Earth, showcasing the growing human presence in space exploration.
