Crew of SpaceX's Polaris Dawn Mission Finishes First Commercial Spacewalk
On Thursday, two astronauts aboard a SpaceX capsule made history by completing the world's first private spacewalk, connected to the Crew Dragon spacecraft while orbiting hundreds of miles above the Earth.
TroibNews 
On Thursday, two astronauts from a SpaceX capsule performed the world's inaugural private spacewalk, secured to the Crew Dragon spacecraft orbiting Earth.
At approximately 6:52 a.m. ET, billionaire Jared Isaacman, aged 41, was the first to step out, followed by 30-year-old SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis. This marked the first time individuals not affiliated with a government agency have conducted a spacewalk, with their daring maneuvers broadcasted live on the company's website, while the other two crew members watched from within the spacecraft.
SpaceX confirmed during a live webcast that a private crew had embarked on history's first spacewalk conducted by non-professional astronauts. The spacewalk officially began at 6:12 a.m. ET when the astronauts' suits began receiving oxygen, marking the start of this unprecedented mission.
However, the spacewalk faced a delay of several hours. Initially scheduled for Thursday, the mission was postponed shortly before its intended start, despite reassurances from the company via the social media platform X that “all systems are looking good.” No specific reasons for the delay were detailed.
Despite this hiccup, Isaacman and his crew had been gearing up for this moment since launching into orbit on Tuesday for a five-day mission. The plan included Isaacman and a SpaceX engineer alternating exits from their capsule, located several hundred kilometers above Earth, while staying close to the hatch. The remaining two crew members were to stay seated inside.
This unprecedented spacewalk represents the first commercial endeavor of its kind, with Isaacman collaborating with SpaceX to test new spacesuit technologies.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
At approximately 6:52 a.m. ET, billionaire Jared Isaacman, aged 41, was the first to step out, followed by 30-year-old SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis. This marked the first time individuals not affiliated with a government agency have conducted a spacewalk, with their daring maneuvers broadcasted live on the company's website, while the other two crew members watched from within the spacecraft.
SpaceX confirmed during a live webcast that a private crew had embarked on history's first spacewalk conducted by non-professional astronauts. The spacewalk officially began at 6:12 a.m. ET when the astronauts' suits began receiving oxygen, marking the start of this unprecedented mission.
However, the spacewalk faced a delay of several hours. Initially scheduled for Thursday, the mission was postponed shortly before its intended start, despite reassurances from the company via the social media platform X that “all systems are looking good.” No specific reasons for the delay were detailed.
Despite this hiccup, Isaacman and his crew had been gearing up for this moment since launching into orbit on Tuesday for a five-day mission. The plan included Isaacman and a SpaceX engineer alternating exits from their capsule, located several hundred kilometers above Earth, while staying close to the hatch. The remaining two crew members were to stay seated inside.
This unprecedented spacewalk represents the first commercial endeavor of its kind, with Isaacman collaborating with SpaceX to test new spacesuit technologies.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
