SpaceX’s groundbreaking Polaris Dawn mission reached a milestone on September 12, 2024, as its crew accomplished the first-ever commercial spacewalk while orbiting Earth. The historic spacewalk unfolded on the third day of their five-day journey in the Crew Dragon Resilience spacecraft.
The private astronaut crew, led by SpaceX’s mission financier and commander Jared Isaacman, made space history as they ventured outside their spacecraft at an altitude of 458 miles (737 km). Joining Isaacman were pilot Scott “Kidd” Poteet and mission specialists Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. The crew had previously set a new altitude record, reaching 870 miles (1,400.7 km), surpassing the Gemini 11 mission’s 853-mile record.
The spacewalk began at 6:12 a.m. EDT and concluded at 7:58 a.m. EDT. Isaacman exited first, followed by Gillis. During the EVA, the astronauts conducted spacesuit mobility tests, offering breathtaking live views of Earth as they floated outside the Dragon capsule.
This mission also showcased new technology, including specialized EVA suits designed by SpaceX. The suits are lightweight yet durable, intended for future space missions beyond Earth’s orbit. Additionally, the mission tested a new “Skywalker” hatch, which allowed the astronauts to exit the spacecraft safely.
The Polaris Dawn mission is part of SpaceX’s broader goal to push the boundaries of human space exploration. The crew’s experiments, including those aimed at understanding the effects of spaceflight on the human body, will contribute valuable data to NASA’s Human Research Program.
For more details on this historic spacewalk, visit Space.com.