A billionaire and an engineer have reached a historic milestone as the first non-professional astronauts to complete a spacewalk,
Elon Musk’s SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission reached a milestone as billionaire Jared Isaacman and a SpaceX engineer completed a historic spacewalk.one of the most perilous tasks in space. Jared Isaacman and Sarah Gillis exited the SpaceX spacecraft about 15 minutes apart, beginning their spacewalk at 11:52 BST, equipped with specially designed suits for the mission. “Back at home, we all have a lot of work to do, but from here, Earth sure looks like a perfect world,” said Isaacman as he embarked on the spacewalk.
The historic spacewalk conducted during the Polaris Dawn mission, funded privately by billionaire Jared Isaacman, represents a significant milestone in space exploration. Until this mission, spacewalks had been exclusively performed by astronauts from government-backed space agencies.
The mission, which has captivated public attention, was marked by live broadcasts that showcased the remarkable moment when the two non-professional crew members emerged from SpaceX’s white Dragon capsule. Floating 435 miles (700 kilometers) above Earth’s surface, the scene provided a breathtaking view of space and the planet below.
Jared Isaacman, the mission’s financier and commander, was the first to exit the spacecraft. As he made his way into the vacuum of space, he methodically moved his limbs, hands, and feet to ensure that his custom-designed suit was functioning properly. This initial phase of the spacewalk involved careful checks to confirm the integrity of his suit and equipment.
Following Isaacman’s exit, Sarah Gillis, a SpaceX engineer and the second crew member, made her own spacewalk. Both Isaacman and Gillis actively communicated with ground control and the audience, providing valuable insights into how their suits performed under the unique conditions of space. Their commentary helped to illustrate the practical aspects of operating in the vacuum of space and the technical challenges involved.
The spacewalk, originally scheduled for 07:23 BST, experienced a delay early Thursday morning. Despite this, the successful execution of the spacewalk highlighted the advancements in private space missions and showcased the capabilities of non-professional astronauts in performing complex tasks in space.
As the crew of the Polaris Dawn mission prepared to execute their historic spacewalk, they faced significant challenges due to the unique design of their spacecraft. Unlike traditional spacewalks conducted from spacecraft equipped with airlocks—a crucial feature that creates a barrier between the spacecraft’s interior and the vacuum of space—the SpaceX Dragon capsule used for this mission did not have an airlock. This design choice heightened both the anticipation and tension as the crew prepared to open the hatch and step into the void of space.
In preparation for the spacewalk, the crew underwent a rigorous two-day “pre-breathing” protocol. This process was essential for mitigating the risk of decompression sickness, commonly known as “the bends.” Decompression sickness occurs when nitrogen in the bloodstream forms bubbles as the pressure decreases, which can cause severe pain and other medical issues. To prevent this condition, the crew inhaled pure oxygen, which replaced the nitrogen in their bloodstreams and helped their bodies adjust to the pressure changes they would encounter in space.
Before the spacewalk could commence, the spacecraft had to be depressurized to match the vacuum conditions outside. This step was crucial for ensuring that the pressure inside the Dragon capsule was equalized with the external environment, thereby allowing the crew to safely exit into space.
Dr. Simeon Barber, a research scientist at the Open University, highlighted the significance of this mission by noting that it represented a “very different approach” compared to traditional spacewalks. Historically, astronauts conducting spacewalks have used airlocks to transition between the pressurized environment of their spacecraft and the vacuum of space. This method has been a standard practice, particularly for missions launched from the International Space Station (ISS).
However, the SpaceX Dragon capsule employed in this mission was fully exposed to space, eschewing the traditional airlock system. This design presented a novel and challenging approach to spacewalks, underscoring the innovative nature of the Polaris Dawn mission and the evolving landscape of commercial spaceflight.